No fewer than seven people have lost their lives, while 5,403 others have been affected by a series of windstorms that swept through 120 communities across 13 local government areas of Jigawa State.
The Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Emergency Relief Management Agency (SEMA), Hannafi Yakubu, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Dutse.
According to him, the windstorms struck at the onset of the rainy season, leaving widespread destruction across several parts of the state.
“The windstorm has led to the loss of seven lives and affected over 5,400 persons across 120 communities,” Yakubu said.
He explained that the disaster destroyed homes and damaged critical public infrastructure, including schools, healthcare facilities and police stations.
“About 50 schools and health facilities, as well as two police stations, were damaged. This is currently the most significant disaster facing the state,” he stated.
Yakubu noted that although widespread flooding has not yet occurred, the impact of the windstorms has been severe.
“We are yet to witness widespread flooding, but the windstorm alone has caused extensive damage across several local government areas,” he said.
He disclosed that the agency is working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate emergency response efforts.
“We are collaborating closely with NEMA to evaluate the situation and ensure a coordinated emergency response,” he added.
Describing disaster management as a collective responsibility, Yakubu appealed to the Federal Government, local government councils, development partners, humanitarian organisations, corporate organisations and individuals to support affected communities.
“We call on the Federal Government, local governments, development partners, humanitarian organisations, corporate bodies and individuals to support affected communities,” he said.
The SEMA boss further revealed that the Jigawa State Government had approved more than N800 million for emergency preparedness ahead of the rainy season.
“The government approved more than N800 million for the procurement of relief materials, which are now being stockpiled for prompt response,” he stated.
The affected local government areas are Dutse, Gwaram, Birnin Kudu, Kiyawa, Babura, Gumel, Kaugama, Ringim, Gagarawa, Kirikasamma, Sule Tankarkar, Miga and Buji.
According to Yakubu, Ringim recorded the highest number of affected persons with 1,182 victims, followed by Dutse with 792, Babura with 650, Kirikasamma with 605 and Birnin Kudu with 539.
He also confirmed an isolated flooding incident in Miga Local Government Area, where more than 70 hectares of farmland were destroyed.
“More than 70 hectares of farmland were destroyed in Miga. However, this cannot yet be classified as part of the annual flooding season since major rivers have not overflowed,” he explained.
Yakubu assured residents that the state government would continue to strengthen disaster preparedness, improve emergency response and provide relief materials to affected communities.
The latest incident comes as several states across Nigeria intensify preparations for the peak of the rainy season following forecasts by relevant authorities warning of possible flooding in vulnerable communities. State emergency agencies have continued to urge residents to heed early warning advisories and relocate from high-risk areas where necessary to minimise the impact of weather-related disasters.
