Flooding has devastated several communities in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. The affected areas include Pututa, Tswako, Likpata, Godangi, and Ekko. The disaster has resulted in the destruction of houses and farmlands, leaving residents to pick up the pieces. According to reports, the flooding occurred in the aftermath of heavy rainfall and rising river levels.
In response to the disaster, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, visited the affected areas to sympathize with residents. During his visit, he confirmed that no lives were lost in the flooding, but properties were destroyed. The governor expressed his sympathies to the affected residents and promised to provide support to alleviate their suffering.
To provide immediate relief to the affected residents, Governor AbdulRazaq announced a ₦10 million emergency support package for the people of Pututa. The package includes food, drinking water, and medicines to help them cope with the aftermath of the flooding. Additionally, he directed the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assess the extent of the damage caused by the flooding.
The flooding in Kwara State is part of a larger forecast by the Federal Government, which warned of possible flooding in 24 states between September 27 and October 10, 2026. The warning was issued on September 28, following forecasts of heavy rainfall, rising river levels, saturated soil, and increased surface runoff. The advisory classified communities across the country into critical, high, and moderate flood-risk categories.
Kwara State is among the states with communities listed in the critical-risk category. Others include Benue, Kogi, Niger, Adamawa, Bauchi, Taraba, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo. The Federal Government's flood alert was signed by the Director of the department, Usman Abdullahi Bokani.
The Kwara State Government has pledged to continue discussions with relevant federal authorities on the dredging of the River Niger as part of efforts to find a lasting solution to flooding in the affected areas. According to the government, this move is crucial to mitigating the impact of flooding in the state. The dredging of the River Niger is expected to help reduce the risk of flooding in communities along its banks.
The government has assured residents that it will do everything possible to support them in the aftermath of the flooding. With the assessment of the damage by SEMA underway, the state government is expected to provide further support to affected residents in the coming days. The flooding has highlighted the need for proactive measures to mitigate its impact on communities in Kwara State and beyond.
Key points
- The Kwara State Government has announced a ₦10 million emergency support package for residents of Pututa.
- The Federal Government warned of possible flooding in 24 states, including Kwara, between September 27 and October 10, 2026.
- The state government will continue discussions with federal authorities on the dredging of the River Niger to find a lasting solution to flooding.
