Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has reported that at least seven people are missing following severe flooding in Magama and Mashegu Local Government Areas (LGAs) after heavy rainfall on Friday.
NSEMA Director-General, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, shared this information in a statement issued in Minna.
He said that the flooding caused extensive damage, destroying over 89 houses and hundreds of farmlands in the affected areas.
“Three vehicles were also washed away by the flood, which followed an early morning downpour lasting for several hours,” Baba-Arah said.
The flooding, which began around 2 a.m. and continued until noon, was described as a result of torrential rainfall. Baba-Arah provided further details: “As of the time of this report, seven people have been declared missing, over 89 houses have been affected, and hundreds of hectares of farmland have been destroyed. Additionally, three vehicles were swept away by the floodwaters.”
The worst-hit areas include Sabon Pegi and surrounding communities in Mashegu, as well as Nassarawa in Magama.
Baba-Arah stated that search and rescue operations are ongoing, involving NSEMA staff and local volunteers, to locate the missing individuals and provide assistance to those affected.
The wake of windstorms, heavy rains and flood events of this year have by 28th August 2024, directly affected over 45,808 households (186,370 individuals) with 29 individuals dead and several injured across 66 IDP sites and 311 host communities in 34 LGAs in Borno, 18 LGAs in Adamawa, and 3 LGAs in Yobe states. These incidents resulted in varying degrees of damage to camp infrastructure, including 49,730 shelters, safe spaces, and WASH facilities (600 water points, 1,200 latrines, and 800 showers).
