Inside Kogi IDPs camps: Flood victims turn beggars, share cups of rice, garri

By Adeleye Kunle

Flood victims in Lokoja, who are living in the Internally Displaced Camps, are currently witnessing the most devastating moments in their lives as they now feed from hand to mouth, while relief materials meant for them have been allegedly diverted.

In this report, Track News takes a look at the activities happening in Adankolo and Gadumo IDPs camp, challenges of the flood victims and allegations against some individuals who are supposed to bring smiles to their faces.

The 2022 flood is one of the worst natural disasters that hit Kogi State since 2012. Houses were submerged, farmlands destroyed, many rendered homeless, while some have buried their loved ones.

Nine Local Government Areas in Kogi is currently suffering from the devastating effect of this year’s flood, namely: Lokoja, Kogi-Koto, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Igalamela-Odolu, Bassa, Idah, Ibaji and Omala, during which about 600 hectres of farmlands and property, including houses, worth billions of naira were destroyed.

Seven persons; four in Ibaji Local Government Area and three from Ajaokuta Local Area of the State lost their lives at the peak of the flood. The IDPs camps are all full to the brim as flood victims beg to survive on a daily basis.

TRACK news correspondent visited two IDPs camps, in Lokoja Local Government Area precisely, Adankolo, and Gadumo; what was observed was really terrible. In the two IDPs camps, there is no access to basic facilities such as water, toilets, and suitable place to lie their head. Some flood victims and their families sleep outside in the middle of the night, without mosquito nets, thereby exposing themselves to disease outbreaks such as Cholera, Typhoid, Malaria and many more. Dangerous animals such as snakes, scorpion are now regular visitors since their new abode is not habitable for a living