The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has confirmed that a life was lost while at least 2,634 residents were affected by recent flash floods across the state.
SEMA’s Executive Secretary, Mohammed Goje, disclosed that 14 communities have so far been hit by the disaster, with Potiskum Local Government Area recording the heaviest impact after days of torrential rainfall.
Goje explained that SEMA, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has rolled out emergency response measures to support victims. He noted that more than 600 displaced persons currently taking refuge at Sabon Gari Primary School have benefitted from government interventions, including daily meals, cash assistance, dignity kits, and household relief materials.
“SEMA is providing life-saving assistance and early recovery support to the victims to ease their suffering and restore normalcy,” Goje said.
The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, confirmed that the agency had activated its Maiduguri operations office, which immediately deployed rescue teams to affected communities.
Preliminary assessments revealed that 21 communities across five wards in Potiskum were severely impacted. Many homes, mostly mud structures, were destroyed, leaving hundreds homeless. Women and children constitute the majority of the displaced population, according to officials.
Authorities have assured that relief efforts will continue while long-term measures are being considered to mitigate future flooding disasters in the state.