Windstorm kills seven, affects 5,403 residents in Jigawa

Seven people have died and 5,403 others affected following a windstorm accompanied by heavy downpour in Jigawa State. 

Hannafi Yakubu, Executive Secretary, Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), confirmed the death to newsmen.

He said in Dutse, the state capital, on Wednesday that the disaster affected 120 communities across 13 local government areas of the state, 47 public schools, three health facilities, and two police stations.

Yakubu said the agency compiled the data of casualties and properties affected by the disaster from the onset of the rainy season to date.

He listed the affected LGAs as Dutse, Gwaram, Birnin Kudu, Kiyawa, Babura, Gumel, Kaugama, Ringim, Gagarawa, Kirikasamma, Suletankarkar, Miga, and Buji.

The Secretary said the state government had distributed relief items to the affected persons to assuage their sufferings.

While urging philanthropists, wealthy individuals, corporate organisations and donor agencies to assist the victims, Yakubu reiterated the government’s commitment to protect vulnerable communities through proactive emergency response initiatives.

He said: “Disaster is for everyone.

“So all must assist to arrest the situation. 

“SEMA, with support from the state government, is ready to assist victims whenever disaster strikes.”