A Section of the Flooded Idah-Nsukka Road
Communities plead for urgent government rescue as a once-thriving trade route between Kogi and Enugu is cut off by floodwaters, crumbling bridges, and rising insecurity
Floods, collapsing infrastructure, and spiraling insecurity have turned the 90-kilometer Idah–Nsukka road, once a vital lifeline for farmers, traders, students, and families into one of the most dangerous routes in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Stretching from Kogi to Enugu State, the road now lies in near ruin, leaving communities stranded, businesses shuttered, and lives at risk.
After days of heavy rainfall, large sections of the corridor, particularly around Abolinyangnyanga, Egabada, and Oforachi, have become impassable. Washed-out drainage systems and deteriorating bridges force passengers to wade through chest-deep water or be carried across on shoulders. Insecurity compounds the crisis, with kidnappers targeting stranded travelers and residents. The once-bustling Egabada market now stands nearly deserted.
The havoc has rippled across essential services. Primary healthcare centers, schools, and water points along the route have become inaccessible, cutting off medical care, disrupting education, and compromising sanitation. Displacement triggered by flooding and fear of banditry has forced many families to seek shelter in unsafe, temporary camps.
Kogi State residents say the crisis reflects years of neglect by both state and federal authorities. The road, first awarded for construction in the mid-1990s to shorten the Enugu–Abuja journey by more than two hours, has not seen adequate maintenance for decades. Without repairs, the flood-prone terrain has succumbed to repeated seasonal damage.
In response to mounting public outcry, local leaders are calling on the Kogi State Government, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and Enugu State authorities to declare the route a disaster zone and mobilize immediate intervention. Proposed measures include emergency repairs to bridges and drainage, dredging of waterways, deployment of coordinated security patrols, and the establishment of safe corridors for relief delivery.
Relief advocates also urge the creation of secure aid centers with food, clean water, medical support, and psychosocial care. Security agencies and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) are being pressed to collaborate closely with traditional leaders and civil society groups to provide early warnings, protect civilians, and coordinate humanitarian assistance.
Experts warn that without swift, coordinated action, the economic and social collapse along the Idah–Nsukka axis will deepen. “This is not just a transportation issue, it is a humanitarian, economic, and security emergency,” one community representative said. “If the government fails to act now, lives will be lost, and the damage may become irreversible.”
For thousands who depend on this road for their livelihoods, education, and safety, the clock is ticking.
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