Many houses and farmlands in flood-prone communities of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area and Ifite-Awka in Awka South LGA of Anambra State have been submerged following days of persistent rainfall.

The flooding, triggered by heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday, left several families stranded and forced many residents to seek refuge in safer and upland areas.

Residents affected by the disaster have called on the Anambra State Government to urgently intervene, warning that the recurring flood crisis continues to disrupt livelihoods, destroy property and threaten lives.

A visit to the affected communities on Tuesday showed widespread devastation, with homes, business premises and farmlands submerged. Some residents were seen evacuating damaged belongings, while others struggled to remove floodwater from their houses and shops.

In Ifite-Awka, several structures suffered extensive damage, including the headquarters of a Pentecostal church, which partially collapsed under the impact of the flood.

Residents blamed the persistent flooding on poor urban planning, indiscriminate construction and weak enforcement of building regulations.

According to them, developers erected structures on natural waterways, obstructing drainage channels and worsening the impact of heavy rainfall.

The District Head of Foursquare Gospel Church in Ifite-Awka, Rev. Sam Ufo, described the incident as the worst flood disaster experienced by the church since relocating to the area.

“Items destroyed by the flood include musical instruments such as pianos, amplifiers and electronic equipment, alongside important church documents and records,” he said.

Ufo explained that while the church had experienced flooding previously, the scale of the latest incident was unprecedented.

He alleged that some developers blocked waterways originally designed to channel floodwater into nearby canals.

“We identified that the major cause of the perennial flooding is blockage of drainage channels. Developers acquired waterways and built structures on them,” he said.

He appealed to government authorities to recover and reopen the original waterways to prevent future disasters.

Also speaking, Chairman of St. John Street in Ifite-Awka, Uzo Umejiege, lamented the repeated flooding incidents during every rainy season.

“One of the major causes of this challenge is the topography of the area. We are at the lower end of the slope and suffer severe flooding whenever it rains,” he said.

He urged the government to construct larger drainage systems capable of accommodating water flow from surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, residents of Ogidi community staged a peaceful protest on Monday to demand urgent intervention over the recurring floods.

Youths in the area displayed placards expressing concern over deteriorating roads, submerged farmlands and worsening environmental conditions.

President of Ogidi Youths, Chris Obi-Okafor, described the situation as a humanitarian crisis.

He said the flooding had destroyed farms, economic trees and businesses while also affecting movement within the community.

“Our children are unable to attend school whenever heavy rainfall occurs. The impact is becoming unbearable,” he said.

Obi-Okafor called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Chukwuma Soludo to urgently intervene and provide a lasting solution.

The traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alexander Onyido, also appealed for immediate government action to prevent further destruction and possible loss of lives.

An elderly farmer, Ndidi Nwacha, narrated how the flood destroyed her yam and cassava farms.

“I borrowed money at a high interest rate for farming this year. The flood has destroyed my crops and ruined my hopes,” she lamented.

Reacting to the development, officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Environment said authorities were aware of the situation and had intensified efforts to address flooding through drainage clearing, desilting waterways and community sensitisation campaigns.

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Residents of satellite communities around Abuja are raising alarm over worsening environmental conditions caused by uncontrolled refuse dumps, describing daily life as “hellish” due to persistent stench and health risks.

Across densely populated areas such as Karu, Nyanya, Kurudu, and neighbouring Mararaba, heaps of uncollected waste now dominate roadsides and residential spaces.

From early morning until late at night, the smell of decomposing refuse lingers in the air, seeping into homes and affecting residents’ daily lives.

Daily Life in a Polluted Environment

Many of the affected residents are low- to middle-income earners who cannot afford housing in the city centre, forcing them to settle in poorly serviced outskirts.

In these communities, makeshift dumpsites have become a permanent feature. Waste ranging from rotting food to plastics and medical debris spills onto roads, attracting flies, animals, and scavengers.

Residents say illegal dumping, often carried out at night by waste handlers, has worsened the situation due to weak enforcement.

Health Risks on the Rise

Health concerns are mounting as exposure to unmanaged waste increases.

Medical experts warn that toxic gases such as methane and carbon monoxide from decomposing refuse can lead to respiratory illnesses, including asthma and bronchitis.

In addition, stagnant water around dumpsites has created breeding grounds for mosquitoes, contributing to malaria outbreaks, while contamination risks have heightened cases of typhoid and diarrhoea.

Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, with many residents reporting recurring illnesses and rising healthcare costs.

Livelihoods Under Threat

Beyond health implications, the crisis is taking a toll on economic activities in affected areas.

Small business owners, including traders, mechanics, and food vendors, report declining patronage as customers avoid environments plagued by foul odours and flies.

For many, the waste crisis has become both a public health emergency and an economic burden.

Government Responsibility and Gaps

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board stated that its mandate is limited to the Federal Capital City, excluding satellite towns where the problem is most severe.

This clarification has exposed a broader coordination gap between agencies responsible for waste management in the capital region.

However, residents argue that institutional boundaries should not come at the expense of public health and safety.

Calls for Urgent Intervention

Affected communities are calling for immediate government action, including improved waste collection systems, stricter enforcement against illegal dumping, and the creation of designated disposal sites.

There are also demands for better collaboration among relevant authorities to address what many describe as a looming environmental disaster.

Meanwhile, Nyesom Wike has reportedly threatened sanctions against contractors responsible for poor refuse evacuation, signaling possible enforcement measures.

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A joint inter-agency team comprising officials from the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Nigerian Red Cross Society has concluded an on-the-ground assessment of communities severely affected by recent flooding in parts of Sokoto State.

The rapid assessment followed distress reports from Gada Local Government Area, where torrential rains caused widespread damage to homes, farmlands, and critical public infrastructure in several communities, including Gada, Tsitse, and Gilbade.

According to local ward representatives—Kabiru Usman (Gada), Sahabi Abdullahi (Tsitse), and Ahmed Tambari (Gilbade), the joint mission aims to guide both state and federal authorities in coordinating timely relief interventions and long-term recovery strategies.

Led by Sokoto SEMA officials, the team documented extensive losses, including the displacement of thousands and the submergence of agricultural lands at the peak of the harvest season. Preliminary data indicate that at least 2,814 residents were directly impacted by the floods, with hundreds of hectares of farmland rendered unusable.

Tragically, the flooding claimed the lives of two children and one elderly person, while 11 others sustained injuries. The destruction extended to key infrastructure, including a community mosque in Dantudu Bobawa and several public schools among them Damarki Primary School, Tunga Primary School, and Musuki Primary School which suffered structural damage.

Emergency agencies say the findings will form the basis for a coordinated response effort, including the distribution of relief materials and the design of climate-resilient infrastructure in flood-prone areas.

The Sokoto State Government is expected to announce its next steps in the coming days, as humanitarian organizations and development partners prepare to scale up support for affected communities.

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