From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The saying “that water has no enemy, turns out to be in the opposite following the flooding that ravaged communities across the globe which occurred between the months of August, September and October this year.
It is no longer news that this year’s flooding world over had devastating effects on victims ranging from submerging of houses and destruction of property, farms and crops worth billion of naira during the natural disaster.
Infact, observers of the sad incident were of the view that this year’s flooding was worst than that of 2012 as a result of its magnitude and level of destruction that followed.
In Kogi State, nine Local Government Areas, namely; Ibaji, Idah, Igalamela/Odolu, Bassa, Dekina, Lokoja, Kogi, Ajaokuta and Ofu were affected during the natural disaster while in Nigeria at large about ten states also were victims of the flooding.
The enumerated local governments were those along the river bank in Kogi East and Western Senatorial Districts.
According to reports, Kogi and Benue states were among the worst hit of the flooding.
Our Correspondent, Joseph Amedu visited some of the flood victims in Kogi State who narrated their ordeal and the negative impacts of the calamity especially on the economy and the looming hunger that is likely to be experienced.
Omachonu Akoh from Ibaji Local Government Area who spoke to Our Correspondent on behalf of other Council Areas in Kogi East described this year’s flooding as unprecedented.
Omachonu hinted that Ibaji is the worst hit in Kogi as no fewer than twenty lives were lost including houses that were submerged and farm lands, crops and property worth billions of naira that were washed away in the process.
“Most communities in Ibaji Local Government Area had to relocate to Idah, the traditional seat of the Igala Kingdom for safety
“I also have my sympathy for other affected local governments in Kogi East and wish to call on both the federal and state governments, None-Governmental Organisations and spirited individuals to come to our aim”
Abdulmalik Abubakar from Lokoja Local Government Area while speaking on behalf of flood victims in Kogi West, expressed optimism that this year’s flooding will inflict poverty, hunger and desease on their lives.
He said that the disaster will also bring about nigative impact on the state economy as well as socioeconomic activities in the affected communities across the state.
As floodwater recedes, flood victims in Lokoja are gradually returning back to their original homes with the fear of how to be safe from reptiles that have taken over their residents.
Reptiles, particularly snakes, have reportedly taken over many homes in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, causing panic among residents who are returning home after a gradual receding of water.
Our Correspondent reports that residents of Ajara Quarters in the Marine area of Lokoja, Adankolo, part of Army Barracks area, Gadumo and Ganaja areas, whose homes were flooded, have been battling with influx of snakes in their homes.
A resident of Ajara Quarters, Abdulmaliki Usman, told our correspondent that he returned to his house due to receding floodwater, but there is no day they would not kill two to three snakes in their compound.
“We returned on Monday as the floodwater started withdrawing gradually in our area. Since then, we have killed up to 10 snakes, some in the compound and others in the rooms. We are now living in fear. But we thank God that we have not recorded any incident of snake bite,” he said.
Equally, travellers plying the Ganaja-Lokoja road were reported to have encountered a big snake in their boat shortly after taking off to cross to the other side of the town on Thursday.
A snake was said to have been sighted by a passenger in the boat, few metres from the shore, causing passengers to jump into the water.
“We were lucky that the place was not deep. The snake was later killed by the boat owner with his paddle,” a passenger, Joseph Benjamin said.
In the same vein, a family in the Army Barracks area was reported to have killed a big snake in their room on Wednesday.
It was reported that the snake was sighted under a chair by a little girl and quickly brought it to the notice of her parents, who later killed it.
