By Sabiu Abdullahi
At least seven people have lost their lives, while 53 others sustained injuries after a powerful windstorm swept through 13 local government areas of Jigawa State, causing widespread destruction to homes and public facilities.
The Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hannafi Fagam, disclosed the figures on Wednesday during a briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Dutse. He said the disaster affected 5,403 households across 120 communities.
According to Fagam, the affected local government areas are Dutse, Miga, Gwaram, Birnin Kudu, Ringim, Kiyawa, Babura, Kiri-Kasamma, Buji, Kaugama, Gumel, Gagarawa and Sule-Tankarkar. He added that four of the deaths occurred in Dutse Local Government Area, while Miga, Ringim and Sule-Tankarkar recorded one fatality each.
The windstorm also caused extensive damage to public infrastructure. More than 47 primary and secondary schools were destroyed. Three hospitals and two police stations also suffered damage. Many residential buildings and other public facilities were affected across the impacted communities.
Fagam said the Jigawa State Government has approved funds to provide emergency relief and support to victims. He noted that officials are still assessing the affected areas to determine the full extent of the destruction.
He described the incident as a natural disaster with serious humanitarian and socio-economic consequences. He said SEMA is working with relevant stakeholders to coordinate relief efforts for affected residents.
Fagam appealed to international development partners, humanitarian organisations, corporate institutions and well-meaning individuals to support the state’s response by providing relief materials and other forms of assistance to victims.
He also assured residents that the agency would continue its assessment of affected communities and ensure the timely distribution of relief materials to those impacted by the disaster.