The Ogun State Government has issued a stern warning to residents of communities adjoining Ogun, Ilo, Iju, Owa, and Yemule Rivers, and the coastline to relocate to safer environments between the last week of this month and the second week of October to avoid the impact of overflow capable of wreaking havoc in the areas.

This warning was contained in the 2025 Ogun State Midterm Flood Alert statement, released on Sunday and signed by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, as the state prepares for the second phase of flooding.

According to the statement, the affected communities include Isheri, Warewa, Akute, parts of Abeokuta, Ayetoro, Itele, Iju, and those along the coastline of Makun, Oni, Iwopin, Igele, Ifaara (Ogun Waterside), Ebute-Imobi (Ijebu East), Tungeji Island, and Agosasa in Ipokia Local Council.

He said, “They are to relocate to safer environments between the last week of this month and the second week of October because of the expected impact of overflow from these rivers and sea water rise/tidal lock in their communities, due to expected high rainfall and the arrival of flow from the northern part of the country and neighbouring countries like Benin to Ogun and Lagos State downstream. That of the Ogun River may be compounded by the release of water from Oyan Dam.”

According to him, the overflow, which will last for two weeks, usually occurs as part of the second phase of flooding, which typically happens from September through November every year.

Oresanya added that the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has predicted that September will have the highest rainfall of 204mm, followed by October at 190mm, while by November, the intensity of the rainfall would have decreased to 93mm.

He therefore assured the residents of these communities that the State Government, through its State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), is on red alert in case of any emergency evacuation and relocation to temporary emergency camps spread across the state, while the State Ministry of Environment is also working closely with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority on the release of water from Oyan Dam to reduce its impact to the barest minimum.

Oresanya also urged residents in these communities to avoid using their boreholes and well water during this period, as they are subject to contamination due to the expected flooding and tidal variations.

He equally used the opportunity to call on fish farmers farming on flood plains of rivers and streams statewide to harvest their fish to avert losses, while fish farmers at Eriwe and Yemule, both in Ijebu Ode, and Ilase and Ayegbami in Yewa, are equally advised to heed the warning without further delay.

While thanking residents of the state for their understanding of all environmental issues, especially the yearly flood alert, he lauded them for their cooperation with the State Government over the last six years, which has greatly reduced flooding and its impact statewide, and pledged the State Government’s commitment to continually do the needful to make the state flood-free.