FLOODS have claimed 11 lives, ravaged communities, and caused extensive damage across 19 of the 25 local government areas in Niger state.
The floodwaters have swept away an alarming 118,692 farmlands, leaving many residents in uncertainty as their livelihoods are severely impacted.
In addition to the destruction of farmlands, 246 schools have been affected, disrupting education across 529 communities. The widespread devastation has also impacted 34 communities, with 41,192 people now in urgent need of relief and support.
The most severely affected local government areas include Mokwa, Katcha, Lavun, Lapai, Agaie, Shiroro, Munya, Gbako, Kontagora, Bosso, Edati, Agwara, Bida, Magama, Mashegu, Borgu, Gurara, Suleja, and Rijau.
In a statement, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the extent of the disaster.
He reported that over 6,865 households have been affected, and critical infrastructure has been destroyed, including 18 bridges and 80 culverts, further hampering transportation and access for relief efforts.
This catastrophe follows earlier warnings from the federal government. On April 17, authorities had cautioned that 148 local government areas across 31 states, including Niger, were at risk of severe flooding between April and November.