FLOODS KILL 53 AND DISPLACE THOUSANDS IN NIGERIA

No fewer than 53 people have died in 11 states from floods that have displaced more than 100,420 people this year.

People have lost their lives, thousands of houses, farmlands and property worth billions of Naira were also lost to the flood disasters in many local government areas affected in the northern states. The high level of losses is as a result of release of water from Bakalori and Goronyo dams located in Zamfara and Sokoto states, respectively.

The affected states are Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Jigawa, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe and Bauchi.

In Kano State, a director with the state Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Agency, SERERA, Alhaji Sabi’u Mohammed, said 12 people lost their lives in the disasters.

“The deceased lost their lives in six local government areas of the state between August and September as a result of the flooding... six persons died in Shonono, two each in Dala and Tudun Wada and one each in Gabasawa and Takai Local Government areas,” he said.

He added that more than 1,600 persons were displaced by the flood, while property worth millions of Naira was destroyed.

Mohammed explained that officials from the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA had already visited some of affected areas and assessed the situation.

Thickman Tanimu, Deputy Head, Sokoto Zonal Operations Office of NEMA, said 10 of the victims died in Zamfara.

“At our level, we have submitted a comprehensive report to the state government for possible assistance to the victims of the disaster.

“I am happy to inform you that the government had recently approved N15.8 million for the purchase and distribution of relief materials to victims of the flood disaster in Albasu Local Government area.”

From Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, NEMA confirmed the death of 11 persons from the flooding.

A victim of the floods, Danmmusa Ahmed, who lost his house and birds to the flood in Toro Local Government Area, said they are yet to receive any assistance.

“The committee said government would assist, but nothing has come to me yet,” he explained.