For the third consecutive year, farming communities along the Benue River basin have suffered devastating losses due to severe flooding. This investigation examines the root causes of the recurring flooding crisis, the inadequacy of early warning systems, and the long-term impact on food security in a state that is supposed to be Nigeria's food basket.

Our investigation found that communities in Agatu, Guma, and Makurdi are the worst affected, with thousands of hectares of farmland submerged during the peak of the flooding season. Many farmers lost their entire harvest, with some reporting losses running into millions of naira. The emotional and psychological toll on affected families is immense, with many expressing feelings of helplessness and despair.

Experts point to a combination of factors contributing to the worsening floods, including upstream dam releases, climate change, poor urban planning, and the blockage of natural drainage channels by construction activities. While the state government has established a flood response committee, affected residents say the response has been inadequate. A comprehensive, long-term solution is urgently needed to protect Benue's farming communities from this annual devastation.