At least ten communities have been affected by floods due to intense rainfall in the Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State recently.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Head of Operations at Sokoto Office, Aliyu Shehu-Kafindagi, confirmed the events in a statement issued on Wednesday while leading a joint assessment team to the impacted areas.
He further stated that the incident has rendered at least 2,000 individuals homeless, forcing them to seek refuge in safer locations.
“The incident, which occurred between Sept. 17 and 22, was caused by heavy rainfall and the coming of more water from River Niger, which led some communities to be submerged and inundated by the water.
“10 communities were affected in the Shanga local government, and they include, Kunda, Dala- Maidawa, Dala-Tudu, Dala-Mairuwa, Ishe-Mairuwa, Kwarkusa, Kurmudi, Tugar Maigani, Tukur Cika, Uguwar Gwada, Uguwar Wakili and Gundu,” he said.
He stated that most displaced individuals are fishermen who have experienced significant losses of their agricultural land.
He noted that their various crops, including rice, maize, millet, beans, and guinea corn, have all been inundated.
The head of NEMA further elaborated that during the assessment, the team discovered an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp located at Tudun Faila Primary School, which is currently providing shelter for over 300 individuals.
The joint assessment conducted by NEMA was carried out in partnership with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), local officials from Shanga LG, and security personnel in the region.