There have been reportedly massive flood that has submerged thousands of farmlands in Shonga, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, displacing hundreds of rice farmers and causing millions of naira in damage across vast stretches of land.
This ‘strange’ flood, described by local leaders as a serious threat to food security, has left the community reeling.
The Emir of Shonga, Dr. Halidu Yahya Ndanusa, expressed deep concern over the unexplained flooding, particularly given the dry conditions across neighboring regions like Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.
He called on the state government to investigate the source of the flood, suspecting that the Jebba Dam may have been involved, though the authorities have yet to confirm the cause.
Muhammad Abdulkadir, a community leader, revealed that farmers from various northern states, including Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, and Niger, have lost millions of naira in rice crops.
Prior to the flooding, the region produced over three million metric tonnes of rice annually.
Princess Bukola Babalola, the Deputy Chief of Staff leading the government delegation, assured farmers that the government would provide immediate assistance and work towards finding a permanent solution, including the dredging of the River Niger to prevent future flooding.
Relief materials worth millions of naira were distributed to affected farmers as part of the government’s efforts to mitigate the damage.
