Windstorm kills seven, displaces over 5,400 in Jigawa

No fewer than seven people have died, while more than 5,400 residents have been affected after devastating windstorms swept through 120 communities across 13 local government areas of Jigawa State.

The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Relief Management Agency, Hannafi Yakubu, disclosed this during a briefing with journalists in Dutse, the state capital, describing the incident as the most severe disaster currently confronting the state.

According to Yakubu, the windstorms struck shortly after the commencement of the rainy season, leaving widespread destruction in their wake.

“The windstorm has led to the loss of seven lives and affected over 5,400 persons across 120 communities,” he said.

He explained that the disaster destroyed residential buildings and damaged key public facilities, including schools, healthcare centres 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,” Yakubu stated.

The SEMA boss noted that while Jigawa had not yet experienced widespread flooding, the impact of the windstorms had already caused serious damage in several areas.

“We are yet to witness widespread flooding, but the windstorm alone has caused extensive damage across several local government areas,” he said.

Yakubu said the agency was working with the National Emergency Management Agency to assess the level of destruction and coordinate relief efforts.

“We are collaborating closely with NEMA to evaluate the situation and ensure a coordinated emergency response,” he added.

Appealing for support from stakeholders, the SEMA executive secretary described disaster management as a shared responsibility involving government institutions, humanitarian organisations and individuals.

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“We call on the Federal Government, local governments, development partners, humanitarian organisations, corporate bodies, and individuals to support affected communities,” he said.

He also 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,” Yakubu stated.

The affected local government areas include Dutse, Gwaram, Birnin Kudu, Kiyawa, Babura, Gumel, Kaugama, Ringim, Gagarawa, Kirikasamma, Sule Tankarkar, Miga and Buji.

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.

Yakubu 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.

He assured residents that the state government would continue to strengthen disaster preparedness measures and provide assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.

“The state government will continue to improve disaster preparedness and provide relief to affected communities,” he said.

On Tuesday, over 20 houses and several farmlands have been destroyed in Nghassi community, Mandar Ward of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, following a heavy rainstorm.

The storm wreaked havoc across the community, blowing off rooftops, uprooting trees, bringing down buildings and destroying property worth millions of naira.