Raging Floods Dislodge Over 1,000 Households Across Osun State

A devastating flood incident has led to the displacement of more than 1,000 households across various communities in Osun State. The calamity struck on Wednesday, with Osogbo, the state capital, experiencing some of the worst impacts.

Areas severely hit include Gbodofon, Ogo-Oluwa, Omigade, Ijetu, Oke Arungbo, Baruwa, and Isale Osun. Within Ijetu, Isale Osun, and Oke Osun neighborhoods, reports indicate that over 700 structures, including residential homes, hotels, schools, and business premises, situated close to the Osun River, were submerged by the rising waters.

Alhaji Teslim Olasunkanmi, a property owner in the Ijetu area, lamented the extensive losses, stating that millions of naira worth of property had been destroyed since Monday when the flood initially impacted his community. Olasunkanmi recounted, “We toured the affected areas within Ijetu Community; over 500 buildings have been affected already. Those living in the affected buildings have abandoned them. Schools, hotels and some business premises were also affected by the flood. We need urgent help to clear the blocked Osun River which passes through our area.”

Further assessment in Oke Arungbo, Gbodofon, and Baruwa areas of Osogbo revealed that over 400 buildings were affected. In Ogo-Oluwa, approximately 70 buildings bore the brunt of the flood, with residents seen frantically salvaging their belongings. Disturbingly, five of these structures had already collapsed before reporters could reach the scene.

Akeem Gbadegesin, Secretary of Aroko Island Community in Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, confirmed the dire situation, noting that his community was actively arranging temporary shelter for some of the affected families. Gbadegesin stated, “More than 70 buildings were affected in our community, and five of the affected buildings collapsed this morning. People are still moving out their belongings as of this evening. Those of us whose houses were not flooded have been accommodating some of the displaced residents.” He also highlighted a perplexing observation: despite no rainfall on Wednesday, water levels continued to surge, with speculation that a dam might have been opened. He made a plea to the state government for urgent assistance to the victims and for a permanent solution to prevent future occurrences.

Following an inspection of the affected parts of Osogbo on Wednesday, Mayowa Adejoorin, the Osun State Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, expressed profound sympathy for the victims. The Commissioner assured residents that “The state government would treat the disaster with the urgency it deserves.” He also used the opportunity to appeal to the public, urging them to “Desist from dumping refuse and debris into waterways.” Adejoorin further cautioned against erecting buildings near riverbanks and directed town-planning authorities to cease granting permits for such hazardous construction projects.