Flooding has once again struck Kwara State, submerging homes in the Popo area of Offa town and leaving residents in distress. The heavy rainfall on Saturday evening led to rising water levels, forcing water into houses and raising fears of building collapses.
In a video recorded after the incident, an elderly woman is heard pleading for urgent government assistance. “We are in the Popo area of Offa town. Water has entered our homes. Government, please help us. Contact the foreign contractor handling the project so they can fix this issue,” she appealed. “Please, don’t let our houses collapse.”
Flooding is a recurring problem in Kwara State, and residents are urging authorities to take immediate steps to prevent further disasters and safeguard lives and properties.
In another recent flood-related incident, rice farmers in Shonga, located in Edu Local Government Area, suffered losses exceeding ₦2 billion. The devastation was reportedly caused by an unexpected release of water from Jebba Dam in Niger State, which inundated farmlands and left thousands of farmers struggling.
Many of the affected farmers had secured loans from various sources, including government agencies, to finance their agricultural activities. Typically, when Jebba Dam releases water during the rainy season, farmers are given a two-month notice—usually in August and September—to prepare. However, this time, they claim no advance warning was issued before the floodwaters arrived.
The disaster has not only resulted in significant financial losses but also claimed lives, with at least three people reportedly dying from shock, while several others have been hospitalized.
Farmers in the region generally grow rice during the dry season and relocate during the rainy season to avoid flood damage. In light of this latest incident, they are calling on authorities to establish better flood control measures to prevent future losses and ensure their livelihoods are
protected.
