At least seven people have been killed and 5,403 others affected after powerful windstorms swept through 120 communities in 13 local government areas of Jigawa State.
The Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Emergency Relief Management Agency (SEMA), Hon. Hannafi Yakubu, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Dutse.
He said the windstorms struck at the start of the rainy season, causing 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.
According to him, the disaster destroyed homes and damaged key 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 the state has not yet experienced widespread flooding, the impact of the windstorms alone 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 added that SEMA is collaborating with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to evaluate the extent of the destruction 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 shared responsibility, Yakubu appealed to the Federal Government, local government councils, development partners, humanitarian organisations, corporate bodies 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.
He further disclosed 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 include 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 victims with 1,182 affected persons, followed by Dutse (792), Babura (650), Kirikasamma (605) and Birnin Kudu (539).
He also confirmed an isolated flooding incident in Miga Local Government Area.
“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 and provide relief for those affected.
“The state government will continue to improve disaster preparedness and provide relief to affected communities,” he said.
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