The Osun flood has displaced more than 1,000 households across several communities in Osogbo, Osun State, after rising water levels affected homes, schools, hotels and business premises. The situation became more serious on Wednesday, September 30, as residents in several parts of the state capital moved their belongings to safer locations while the floodwater continued to rise.
The worst-hit areas included Gbodofon, Ogo-Oluwa, Omigade, Ijetu, Oke Arungbo, Baruwa and Isale Osun. According to observations from affected communities, more than 700 buildings around Ijetu, Isale Osun and Oke Osun were affected, with residents reporting significant damage to properties located close to the Osun River.
Osun Flood Forces Residents to Leave Their Homes
The impact of the Osun flood has extended beyond residential buildings, with schools, hotels and business premises also facing the effects of the rising water. In Ijetu, a resident, Alhaji Teslim Olasunkanmi, said property worth millions of naira had been lost since the flooding began affecting houses in the community earlier in the week.
Olasunkanmi said more than 500 buildings had already suffered the impact in Ijetu, adding that many residents had abandoned the affected properties. He also called for urgent assistance to clear the blocked Osun River, which passes through the area.
Other parts of Osogbo also recorded substantial damage. More than 400 buildings were affected across Oke Arungbo, Gbodofon and Baruwa, according to observations during a tour of the affected communities. At Ogo-Oluwa, about 70 buildings were affected, while five buildings had collapsed by the time of the visit.
Residents in Ogo-Oluwa were seen moving household belongings out of their homes as they tried to protect valuables from further damage. A community leader, Akeem Gbadegesin, said some residents whose houses remained safe were providing temporary accommodation for people who had been displaced by the flooding.
The situation also raised concerns about the continued rise in water levels. Gbadegesin said residents had not seen rainfall in the area on Wednesday, yet the floodwater continued to increase. He said residents had heard that a dam had been opened, although this explanation was reported as information circulating within the community rather than an independently confirmed cause.
Government Moves to Respond to Flooding
The Osun State Government has responded to the situation by inspecting affected areas and outlining measures aimed at reducing the impact of flooding. The Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, visited some of the affected communities and sympathised with residents.
Adejoorin said the state government would treat the disaster with urgency while urging residents to stop dumping refuse and debris into waterways. He also warned residents against constructing buildings close to riverbanks and directed town-planning authorities to stop granting permits for construction in risky locations.
Governor Ademola Adeleke also expressed concern over the flooding and directed the Special Task Force on Environmental Sanitation to visit affected areas and assess conditions contributing to the problem. The governor said the task force would prepare a response plan for the administration.
According to the state government, Osun has experienced excessive rainfall in recent weeks, placing additional pressure on drainage channels and waterways. Adeleke also pointed to previous dredging and drainage interventions by his administration, while urging residents to avoid dumping waste on waterways and building on natural water channels or flood-prone corridors.
The latest Osun flood comes shortly after flooding affected other communities across the state. Earlier in the week, heavy rainfall caused flooding in parts of Osogbo and Ilesa, while floodwaters damaged a bridge linking Ijaregbe to Ilesa and disrupted movement between the community and the city centre.
For families forced out of their homes, however, the immediate concern remains finding safe accommodation and protecting their belongings. The damage to homes, schools and businesses has also increased calls for stronger measures to manage waterways, improve drainage and reduce the risks faced by communities during periods of heavy rainfall.
As the water level remains a concern in some affected areas, residents are awaiting further assistance from the government and other relevant agencies. The latest flooding has once again highlighted the difficulties faced by communities located close to rivers and other waterways during periods of severe flooding.