Flood Wrecks Havoc In Niger Delta Riverine Communities, Thousands Displaced
Flood Wrecks Havoc In Niger Delta Riverine Communities, Thousands Displaced
*Warri, Delta State — A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the creeks of the Niger Delta as rising floodwaters sweep through several riverine communities, forcing families to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring higher grounds.
Residents of affected communities in Delta and Bayelsa States are bearing the brunt, with homes submerged, livelihoods disrupted and entire settlements cut off by the surging waters.
The scale of the disaster came to light following a routine waterways patrol by operatives of RIVERINE SECURITY (Coast-Guard of the Federation) across the creeks and waterways of the Niger Delta.
Speaking to journalists in Warri after the patrol, Captain Eric Foutoro, Officer in Charge of Delta, Edo and Bayelsa States Waterways Patrol and Head of Riverine Security, described the situation as alarming.
Captain Foutoro said his team observed dangerously rising water levels along the Bomadi waterways and several parts of Bayelsa State, with many communities already inundated.
According to him, residents of Akugbene and Ogbuyema communities in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State were among those worst hit, with floodwaters rising to levels that made it unsafe to remain in their homes.
“We have seen families leaving their homes in canoes with whatever belongings they could salvage. The situation is getting worse by the day,” Foutoro said.
He disclosed that Riverine Security operatives had assisted in evacuating vulnerable residents to safer locations and are prepared to offer transportation and logistical support to government agencies, humanitarian organisations and private individuals involved in legitimate rescue and relief efforts.
Captain Foutoro also noted a positive development, stating that incidents of piracy, militancy and other criminal activities have reduced in some parts of the waterways based on patrol observations. He urged operators and businesses in riverine areas to observe safety protocols and coordinate with relevant authorities.
Worried by the deteriorating situation, the Commander General of RIVERINE SECURITY (Coast-Guard of the Federation), Commander Bibi Oduku, has called on the Federal Government, relevant ministries, and state governments in riverine states to as a matter of urgency establish accessible emergency shelters and temporary safe havens for displaced persons.
Commander Oduku lamented that despite previous interventions during flood emergencies, vulnerable residents in hard-to-reach creek communities still find it extremely difficult to access help when disaster strikes.
He also raised concern over the transparency of relief distribution, warning that donated food and materials often fail to reach the real victims in the creeks.
According to him, relief efforts must be channeled through credible community-based structures and local guides who know the terrain and the genuinely affected families.
“Any authority or organisation supporting flood-affected citizens should work with people who know the affected communities and join them to the right locations, so that the real victims of the flooding can receive the assistance provided for them,” Commander Oduku stressed.
He appealed to governors of riverine states not to abandon remote communities, noting that residents of the creeks deserve continuous government attention, not seasonal attention during elections.
Commander Oduku called for long-term measures including construction of accessible emergency shelters, effective evacuation plans, improved waterways emergency response systems, and a transparent mechanism that ensures relief materials get directly to affected households.
Also speaking, Captain Oprom ThankGod, Head of Operations for Rivers to Cross River States, said his officers have had to devote time and resources to help flood victims relocate to safer grounds while awaiting state and federal interventions.
He acknowledged ongoing efforts by the governments of Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States to address safety challenges in riverine areas.
In the South-West, Captain Balogun Friday, Officer in Charge of Lagos and South-Western States, warned that waterfront communities in Lagos could also face temporary displacement if floodwaters continue to rise.
He said even communities with significant property investments are not immune, and urged residents in flood-prone riverine locations to remain vigilant and be prepared to relocate temporarily where necessary.
Captain Balogun said the Riverine Security high command has directed all personnel to carry out humanitarian and safety-support operations in their areas of responsibility, especially where lives are at immediate risk.
He added that joint security operations involving the Joint Task Force (JTF) and the Nigerian Navy are ongoing to tackle illegal oil bunkering, piracy and other criminal activities in the waterways, stressing that coordination among security agencies and local communities remains critical.
Reaffirming its commitment, RIVERINE SECURITY (Coast-Guard of the Federation) said it remains fully prepared to support all legitimate emergency and humanitarian operations in the Niger Delta and beyond.
The organisation called for stronger coordination among federal and state authorities, emergency management agencies, humanitarian bodies, security agencies, community leaders and private donors to ensure that help reaches those who need it most.
It urged all stakeholders to prioritise saving lives, timely evacuation, provision of accessible emergency shelters and transparent distribution of relief materials, while advising residents in flood-prone riverine areas to heed safety warnings and move to safer locations when necessary.
“Protecting lives and supporting humanitarian efforts must be a shared responsibility,” the organisation maintained.
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