As concerns grow over the imminent flooding risk from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, residents in Kogi, Benue, and other vulnerable states are defying evacuation orders. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued warnings, urging immediate relocation for those in flood-prone areas.
Following the announcement of planned water releases from the dam, which began on September 17, 2024, fears are mounting in states such as Adamawa, Taraba, and Rivers. NIHSA Director General Umar Muhammed emphasized that water will be released gradually at rates that could escalate, leading to significant flooding in the Niger and Benue rivers.
Despite these warnings, many residents are hesitant to evacuate, citing skepticism over the government’s previous alerts and emotional ties to their homes. In Makurdi, for instance, some families have yet to leave, with individuals like Austin lamenting a lack of safe havens. Similarly, others, like Madam Danladi, have chosen to stay with their partners while sending children to relatives.
In response, the Kogi State Government has activated 42 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and stocked them with emergency supplies. Meanwhile, other states like Adamawa and Cross River have begun awareness campaigns and set up temporary shelters for those at risk.
The Lagdo Dam, constructed between 1977 and 1982, has long been a source of flooding in Nigeria, with past incidents displacing millions and causing significant economic damage. Plans for a companion dam, the Dasin Hausa Dam in Adamawa, have stalled for over 40 years, exacerbating Nigeria’s vulnerability to flooding.
As residents face the potential for disaster, local officials are urging action, while many individuals remain caught between fear and the difficult reality of evacuation.