A severe flood has engulfed homes in the Popo area of Offa town, Kwara State, leaving residents in distress.
According to SaharaReporters, it was learned that the flood was triggered by rainfall on Saturday evening, which caused water to enter homes and threaten to collapse buildings.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, an elderly woman is heard pleading for the immediate intervention of the government to avoid being homeless.
She said, “We are in Popo area, Offa town. Water has entered our houses. The government, please, help us. Please, call the foreign contractor you awarded the project to come and fix this.”
“Please, don’t let our houses collapse,” the resident begged.
This is not the first time flooding has occurred in Kwara State, and residents are calling for urgent action to prevent further damage and ensure their safety.
Recently, SaharaReporters reported how over ₦2 billion worth of rice investments were lost in a single day after water was reportedly released from Jebba Dam in Niger State, flooding Shonga in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Thousands of farmers have recounted their losses, with at least three people reported dead due to shock, while several others have been hospitalised.
SaharaReporters learned that many of the affected rice farmers had obtained loans from various sources, including government agencies, to fund their farms. However, they were caught off guard as the flood submerged their crops.
Some affected farmers told SaharaReporters that Jebba Dam usually releases water during the rainy season, and they are typically given two months’ notice—usually in August and September. However, this time, no prior warning was given before the water was released.
The farmers lamented that they cultivate rice only during the dry season and leave the area during the rainy season to avoid flood-related losses.
