A devastating flood in Kebbi State has claimed the lives of 29 people and destroyed 329,000 homes, displacing thousands of residents.
The flood has also submerged 858,000 hectares of farmland, wiping out critical crops such as rice, millet, sorghum, and beans, sparking fears of an impending food crisis in the region.
At a press briefing on Friday, Kebbi State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Birnin Kebbi, described the government’s efforts to manage the aftermath of the disaster, stating that the scope of the damage has overwhelmed local resources. He emphasized the need for federal assistance, as the state’s resources alone cannot handle the magnitude of the situation.
The commissioner warned of a potential food shortage due to the destruction of farmland and urged for immediate interventions. He noted that while the state government plans to provide improved seeds and agricultural inputs to farmers, more assistance is necessary to avert a crisis.
Preliminary reports reveal fatalities across multiple areas: seven in Ngaski, eight in Maiyama, five in Kalgo, seven in Jega, and two in Birnin Kebbi.
The commissioner also expressed disappointment that Kebbi State’s representatives in the National Assembly have not visited the affected areas, and there is uncertainty over whether the state has received the N3 billion federal grant for flood mitigation.
In response to the crisis, the state government warned that it might forcibly evacuate residents in flood-prone areas who refuse to relocate to safer regions.
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