A devastating windstorm has destroyed up to 1,200 houses across several communities in Niger State, leaving many residents displaced and properties severely damaged.
The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Comrade Abdullahi Baba Arah, disclosed this while presenting a situation report on Thursday in Minna.
According to him, the windstorm affected six Local Government Areas of the state, including Mokwa, Bida, Lavun, Katcha, Gbako, and Mariga.
Arah explained that the agency had already commenced rapid assessment of the affected communities to determine the scale of destruction and humanitarian needs of victims.
“The Niger State Emergency Management Agency has commenced rapid assessment following a devastating windstorm disaster that affected several communities across Mokwa, Bida, and some other Local Government Areas of Niger State,” he said.
He added that preliminary findings showed that more than 1,000 houses were either destroyed or severely damaged in communities within Mokwa Local Government Area.
The affected areas in Mokwa include Sawmill, Kpege Wayata, Kpege, Station Girigi, Efu Shaba Lile, Tifin Madza, Yafu, Etisheshi, Hakimi Aliyu, and Nasfat communities.
In Bida Local Government Area, communities affected by the storm include Cheniyan, Nasarafu, Bariki, Kyari, Dokoza, Masaga A, and Masaga B.
Arah further disclosed that separate windstorm incidents were also recorded in Lavun, Katcha, Gbako, and Mariga LGAs.
He noted that more than 100 houses had earlier been reported destroyed in Durgu community under Bobi Ward in Mariga Local Government Area.
According to the NSEMA boss, the agency is working with relevant stakeholders and local government authorities to conduct detailed assessments and coordinate emergency response efforts.
He assured residents that additional updates would be provided as assessment operations continue across the affected communities.
