A sudden and severe rainstorm tore through Obeiba and Usungwe in Kogi State’s Okehi area, sweeping away more than 100 homes including community schools and leaving thousands displaced. The event, which struck late Monday, plunged many families into crisis.
Local government chairman Amoka Eneji visited the devastated villages alongside councillors Anako Aishat Okidi and Victoria Ohunene James. After walking through the ruins and speaking to affected residents, he expressed deep sympathy and pledged support for those left destitute. Eneji further stated that the Okehi council, in collaboration with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration, is coordinating relief efforts and working with emergency response agencies like SEMA and NEMA to deliver urgent humanitarian aid.
Community leaders reportedly welcomed the chairman’s immediate presence, thanking officials for the prompt attention. They appealed for broader assistance from state and federal authorities, as well as NGOs, emphasizing the need for shelter, food, and rebuilding resources.
Kogi’s rainy season typically spans April to October, and heavy storms are not unusual though the scale of this latest disaster has alarmed many. In recent months, additional rainstorms in other parts of the state have caused widespread damage to homes and farmlands. Local officials are urging residents to secure property and prepare early, especially those living in vulnerable conditions.
As rescue and relief operations continue, the focus remains on providing immediate assistance temporary accommodations, health support, and rebuilding aid. Longer-term strategies, including disaster risk management, community training, and improved infrastructure, will be critical to reducing the impact of future storms in these flood-prone regions.
