Families displaced as flood sacks 82 communities in Niger

Dozens of farmers from at least 82 communities in Mokwa and Mashegu local government areas (LGAs) of Niger State are counting their losses at internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and other safer areas following flooding that displaced them from their homes. 

Witnesses and authorities said the latest incidents in Mokwa and Mashegu were recorded on Monday and Tuesday due to torrential downpour that lasted for hours. 

Scattered across various safer grounds, findings by Daily Trust revealed that the victims’ most pressing challenges are inadequate food and shelter. 

Clinics and skills acquisition centres have been taken over by victims as shelter, because many schools and other public buildings in the affected areas are also flooded.

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Our correspondent observed that no fewer than 30 people sleep in a classroom in Ketso-Woro, one of the host communities, with other classrooms hosting more, victims and health workers disclosed.

‘We used canoes to evacuate our families’ 

Alhaji Muhammad Nagode, a farmer in Ketso, a riverine community in Mokwa LGA, told our correspondent that they woke up that fateful night and discovered that flood waters had taken over their surroundings. 

“We thank God for life,” he said. “We were able to evacuate our families using canoes to safer grounds even though we lost virtually all our belongings. 

“More than 70 per cent of us live in a camp now, while a few others sleep on the water for security purposes because we all vacated our communities,” he said. 

“We have lost our farms, houses and foodstuffs. We have lost our domestic animals including goats and cattle because we couldn’t move with them. We don’t have food right now as I speak with you,” he said.

Another victim, who does not want his name mentioned, said: “Since the incident, we have not received intervention from authorities. 

“Government and well-meaning individuals should come to our aid. We don’t have food and clothes and there is no adequate place to sleep,” he said. 

Jibrin Mohammed, who was displaced from the Muregi community, said they had no place to go because of the current scarcity of fuel and cost of transportation. 

“We have left our homes with our families but we couldn’t move far. We are managing in some places that water has subsided because you need transportation to move far and we are not financially okay. We have lost our belongings including animals.  Children are our concern now,” he said. 

The victims said that the resettlement centres created by the government had been abandoned. 

Another victim who preferred anonymity, said: “Government always says that we don’t want to move out of our homes, but the truth is that they don’t have any serious plan for us. If you relocate, you have to see that the new place is habitable.” 

He said some people had relocated to Kwara State, which is considered closer and safer.

Humanitarian ministry explains devastation 

Confirming the incident to Daily Trust on telephone, the Director, Media and Strategy, Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Habibu Abubakar Wushishi, said no life was lost, adding that the affected farmers have moved to safer places. 

“The commissioner and permanent secretary received reports of flooding, which occurred in various communities of Mokwa LGA due to heavy rainfall. Communities, properties and farmlands were submerged and destroyed”, he said. 

He said the state government commiserated with the affected communities, while urging them to relocate to safer grounds in compliance with NiMet prediction.

Farms affected also 

It was learnt that several hectares of farmlands and valuables worth millions of naira have been washed away during the incident. 

In Muregi, witnesses said 51 communities were affected, while 31 others were affected in Gbara ward. 

The affected communities in Muregi include Egbagi-Majin Manna, Lugwa, Kpachita Wadata   Edolusa, Esungi, Gbafu, Sanchiya, Kuchitagi, Badaifu, Tswasha, Jiffu, Nku kpata and Muregi.  

Others were Gbogifu, Edota-kuta, Lenfa-kuso, Giragi, Dako, Sunlati, Dakani, Twako, Yabagi, Guga, Gunji-yekogi. Gbachi, Magi-bukun among others.

In Gbara, Kpata-kacha Epogi, Edogi,  Suragi  Gudungo  Wunangi, Kipo Fofo,  Tayi, Banzhi, Chewuya,  Dutsun  and several other communities were submerged.

Situation worrisome – LG chair 

The Chairman, Mokwa LGA, Jibril Abdullahi Muregi, told our correspondent that the humanitarian situation in the affected communities was ‘worrisome’. 

“The water came in a very high volume and it has so far submerged a lot of communities – the farmlands and houses and people are in a precarious condition at the moment. 

“People can no longer live in those communities that have been taken over by water. The victims have dispersed to different places. Sincerely speaking, everybody is answering his name now. So, they have scattered to get safer places to stay”, he said.

19 LGAs affected so far – SEMA DG 

The Director General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Arah, said many LGAs including Mokwa, Katcha, Lavun, Lapai, Agaie, Shiroro, Munya, Gbako, Kontagora, Bosso, Edati, Agwara Magama, Bida, Mashegu, Borgu, Gurara, Suleja and Rijau have so far witnessed devastating floods since the beginning of this rainy season.

Arah said that 41,192 people and 6,865 households, mostly in the listed local government areas, have so far been affected by the flood. 

“Sadly, we have lost 11 people to the flood, 5 in Mokwa LGA, 2 each in Shiroro and Munya LGAs, and 1 each in Katcha and Rijau LGAs. 

“We are still expecting more rains and therefore, flooding may still be with us, which is why we should not let down our guards. 

“It is pertinent to report that as a result of this year’s flood, 529 communities in 19 out of the 25 local governments in the state have been affected,” he said. 

He said 246 school infrastructure have also been washed away, creating accommodation problems for pupils, students and their teachers, adding that within this month alone, 18 bridges and 80 culverts have been destroyed by floods, causing communication problems for people in the affected areas.

It was learnt that the flood had affected 118,692 hectares of farmlands, some of which had crops ready for harvests and over 1,600 fish ponds washed away.

But Arah said the Niger State government had approved immediate procurement of food and non-items, while the agency was also reaching out to stakeholders, donor institutions, and international partners for interventions in favour of the affected persons.

4 LGAs cut off in Borno 

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State yesterday expressed concern over the hardship being faced by people in four LGAs of the state following the damage caused by severe flooding that ravaged the Mafa-Dikwa highway. 

Zulum had visited Dikwa LGA while inspecting the Bakassi areas of Mafa-Dikwa Road that were washed away by the flood.

“Borno State government will seek the support of the federal government for the quick rehabilitation of the affected Mafa-Dikwa Road up to the Cameroon border,” he said. 

He underscored the importance of the route in driving the socio-economic development of the state, particularly as it serves as a significant trade corridor to central Africa. 

He said the impact has caused widespread destruction, economic hardship, displacing several communities, damaging property, and tragically resulting in loss of life. 

“The road leading to Dikwa, Gamboru, Ngala, Marte and Kala-Balge is in terrible condition, the most deplorable I have ever seen,” he said. 

“What keeps me up at night is the situation in Gamboru. They are completely cut off from the Cameroon Republic, their main source of food, as the road between Dikwa and Gamboru is also impassable. 

“It is incredibly difficult to transport food items via helicopter. I assure you that as soon as the situation allows, I will go there personally to provide them with food items,” Zulum said.