Lokoja residents live in fear of crocodiles, snakes

September 25, 2012 by Adelani Adepegba and Success Nwogu  

 

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Residents of Lokoja and other nearby riverine communities in Kogi State are now living in fear of attacks from animals and reptiles.

Our correspondent gathered on Monday that since Lokoja and its environs were submerged, the flood dislodged the animals comprising hippopotamuses, crocodiles and snakes among others from their natural habitat.

This is coming as the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolemene described as a “national disaster” the flood which submerged some local government areas of the state.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan was deeply touched by the hardships inflicted on the victims by the flood.

He assured that the Federal Government would address the plights of the victims of the overflow of rivers Niger and Benue.

Onolemene spoke in Lokoja on Monday when he led a Presidential Team to some of the flood ravaged areas.

Though no life has been reportedly lost to attacks from the animals, many residents have raised the alarm that they were no longer safe as they feared that the animals could attack them or their children.

They appealed to the federal and state governments, humanitarian bodies and philanthropists to come to their aid.

One of the residents, Alhaji Ibrahim Adekunle, said they now live in fear of an impending attack from the reptiles.

He said, “We are no longer safe. We are no longer talking about the losses and destruction of our belongings by the flood, we are in constant fear that we may be attacked by reptiles that now occupy areas.

“We are now scared as we see, crocodiles, snakes and even hippopotamus and other dangerous reptiles within our vicinity. The reptiles were washed away from their abode by the flood. We really need the federal and state government as well as organisations and wealthy individuals to assist us in this our predicament.”

Many areas including Lokoja, Ibaji, Ankpa, Kotonkarfe, Dekina, Bassa, Ofu, Kogi, Omala, Ajaokuta, Igalamela were affected by the flood which was said to have been caused by water released from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon and Kainji Dam.

Ibaji Local Government is said to be completely submerged by the flood.

Meanwhile, following the flooding of the Abuja-Lakoja road, the Federal Road Safety Corps has directed stranded travellers to take alternative routes.

The corps said it had blocked the flooded road which has left many motorists and travellers stranded at Lokoja and Okene since last Saturday.

Deputy Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, told one of our correspondents in Abuja on Monday that the commission blocked the road because it had become impassable.

According to him, the water level has continued to rise, thus endangering lives and property.

He advised motorists coming from Lagos, Okene, Lokoja to take Ajaokuta-Ayangba Road, Ankpa -Makurdi Road and Lafia-Akwanga-Abuja Road.

Kazeem directed those coming from the South-East to use Oturkpo- Makurdi road while motorists from Abuja to Lokoja should use Akwanga-Lafia route, Makurdi-Ankpa Road down to Lokoja.

He said, “FRSC blocked the Abuja-Lokoja Road as a result of persistent flooding in the area that has entered the third day and as a result of its concern for the safety of road users plying the route; massive deployment of personnel has been undertaken to enforce the blockade. We seek the cooperation of the motoring public on this highway for safety of lives and property.”

A businessman, Mr. Soji Bamidele, who was stranded at Lokoja, said the road was impassable, adding that some commuters took canoes to cross the flooded portion of the road.

Our correspondent gathered that the flooding also displaced some residents as buildings around the river were submerged.

Kogi State Government was said to have set up camps for the affected residents and provided matresses, blankets and drugs to them.

The Special Assistant (Media and Public Relations) to the governor, Jacob Edi, appealed to the Federal Government to come to the aid of the state, stressing that it could not manage the disaster alone.

SOURCE:The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper 25 September 2012.