The National Emergency Management Agency says flood and windstorm displaced no fewer than 7, 290 people and destroyed many farms in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, between April and September, 2016.
The agency’s Head of Sokoto Zonal Operations Office, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad, said in Sokoto on Thursday, that the twin disasters affected 17 local government areas in the three states.
He said that a total of 3,309 houses were also destroyed in the three states.
Muhammad said Sokoto recorded the highest cases, with 14 local government areas affected.
He listed the areas as: Tangaza, Dange-Shuni, Gudu, Sokoto South, Sokoto North, Bodinga, Wamakko, Wurno, Gwadabawa, Binji,Kebbe, Kware, Rabah and Sabon-Birni.
The NEMA official said Maru and Gusau local government areas were affected in Zamfara, while the disaster also occurred in Birnin Kebbi Local Government of Kebbi state.
He said two people died in the disaster, one each in Sokoto and Zamfara states, while scores of others who were injured had been treated and discharged from hospitals.
He said, “Most of the victims are now squatting with relatives, neighbours and good Samaritans, while some of them are also being camped in schools and other public buildings, across the three states.
“Some of them are managing in their devastated houses, pending when they will get relief materials to rebuild their houses and business premises.”
Muhammad stated that the disasters washed away no fewer than 2, 845 farmlands, assorted farm produce and foodstuffs stored in silos and hundreds of livestock,
The zonal officer added that no fewer than 23 classrooms were blown off at the Federal Science College, Sokoto and another secondary school.
He said, “Efforts are on by the agency to provide assorted relief materials to the victims.
“We are also collaborating with our sister agencies in the three states to alleviate the suffering of the victims.
“We are appeal to the victims to regard the disasters as act of God and to exercise more patience.”
Recent predictions by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency had indicated possibility of flood and windstorm in some parts of Nigeria, including the three affected states.
(NAN)
