At least three persons lost their lives in the devastating flood that ravaged some communities in Shira, Giade, and Katagum local government areas of Bauchi State.
Mr. Mas’ud Aliyu, Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), revealed this on Tuesday during his visit to assess the level of devastation the flood had caused across the three local government areas in the state.
Mr. Aliyu said SEMA received information that three people died in the Shira local government, noting that the flood left thousands of people homeless, without a means of livelihood.
He added that the floods caused heavy wreckage by damaging farmland and cutting off roads in some areas.
He also noted that the flood swept away villages in Shira, forcing the residents to seek temporary refugee resettlement centers.
Also speaking during the assessment, Musa Azare, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the local government, on his part said that Sabon Gari village on the outskirts of Azare town, along the Azare-Jama’are Federal Highway in Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State, was immersed.
He said there is no single household that was not affected.
However, Azare said people residing in the village were successfully evacuated to a nearby government quarter, with the approval of the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed.
“And the happiest thing is that there is no single life lost in the tragic floods. We are still assessing the damage done by the floods to properties,” Azare said.
He further said the local government is working in line with the State and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) while lauding Governor Mohammed for sending 900 bags of grains comprising 300 bags of rice, sorghum, and maize each, as well as 250 mattresses and blankets to provide relief to the affected communities.
In the same vein, he applauded the Emir of Katagum, Alhaji (Dr.) Umar Farouk for donating N2 million to aid the displaced victims, stating also that he donated N1 million naira to the victims.
Presenting the relief materials to the affected communities, Ibrahim Kashim, Secretary to the State Government, said the government provided the relief materials to assuage the victims’ suffering, and to provide them with essential items needed to survive the disaster.
He encouraged the victims to be strong, urging them to understand what happened to them was an act of God. he advised that they should always abide by the warning of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet
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