Victims of the recent flood in Yola have praised Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for acting quickly and ensuring relief materials reached affected communities on time.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the flood, which hit Yola South on July 27, affected over 4,000 households.
It claimed 29 lives and destroyed homes, livestock, and farmlands.
Several victims who spoke with NAN on Thursday thanked the state government and its partners for their support.
They also dismissed social media rumours that the food items given to them were expired or unsafe.
Hajiya Hasfat Umar, a widow with four children, said the early arrival of the relief items eased her family’s suffering.
“The government acted quickly, and we did not have to wait for weeks before receiving help. This shows they care about us. We are grateful to the governor,” she said.
Another victim, Malam Audu Bako, said the assistance brought hope to his family after losing most of their belongings in the flood.
Responding to the rumours, Dr. Celine La’ori, Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), said the claims about expired food were false and politically motivated.
She said the state government had done all it could to reduce the hardship caused by the disaster and deserved praise for its efforts.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. James Iliya, also assured the people that their safety and well-being remained the government’s top priority.
“The Adamawa Government will never abandon its duty to protect and serve the people. We will keep working until every citizen gets the support they need,” he said.
Iliya described the flood as an unfortunate incident that required unity, not blame.
He noted that the government had earlier warned residents in flood-prone areas about possible risks and safety measures, showing its commitment to public safety.
According to him, relief materials came from several sources, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the North East Development Commission (NEDC), the Wife of the President, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the Bayelsa Government, and BUA Group.
“Their support has helped reduce the suffering of victims and improve response efforts,” he said.
He added that the flood struck at night, forcing many people to flee their homes.
Deputy Governor Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta was the first government official to visit the affected communities, coordinate rescue teams, and set up a temporary camp at a secondary school.
Victims were quickly registered, and relief materials were shared to ensure only genuine cases received help.
Quoting Governor Fintiri, he said: “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We understand the pain of losing loved ones, homes, and livelihoods.”
The governor promised to keep working with stakeholders to support recovery and rebuilding efforts.
