Flooding displaces more than 1,000 households across Osogbo communities

Flooding has displaced more than 1,000 households across several communities in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, with residential buildings, schools, hotels and businesses among those affected. The worst-hit areas monitored on Wednesday included Gbodofon, Ogo-Oluwa, Omigade, Ijetu, Oke Arungbo, Baruwa and Isale Osun. More than 700 buildings close to the Osun River were affected in Ijetu, Isale Osun and Oke Osun, according to the report.

A resident of Ijetu, Teslim Olasunkanmi, said more than 500 buildings had been affected in his community. He said occupants had abandoned the affected properties and called for urgent assistance to clear blockages in the river. In Oke Arungbo, Gbodofon and Baruwa, more than 400 buildings were reported affected, while about 70 buildings were affected in Ogo-Oluwa.

Residents were seen moving their belongings, and five buildings had collapsed before the inspection. Akeem Gbadegesin, secretary of Aroko Island Community in Ogo-Oluwa, said residents whose homes remained dry were accommodating some displaced neighbours. He said the water level had continued rising despite the absence of rain in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Gbadegesin said residents had heard that a dam was opened, but the report did not independently establish the cause of the rising water. He appealed to the government to assist displaced households and develop a lasting solution. After inspecting affected areas, Osun Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation Mayowa Adejoorin sympathised with victims and said the state would treat the disaster urgently.

He urged residents not to dump refuse or debris in waterways and directed planning authorities to stop approving construction near riverbanks.