Flood Claims 20 Lives, Leaves 3,000 Homeless In Yobe

• Residents take refuge in three designated camps

It has been confirmed that no fewer than 20 persons died in the last two weeks in Gashua, the headquarters of Bade local government area of Yobe state following the collapse of several houses due to heavy rainfall.

Executive Chairman of the Local Government Area, Babagana Ibrahim, who confirmed the unfortunate news, lamented that many residents are now taking refuge in three designated camps within the local government.

According to him, the government is providing the immediate needs of the displaced persons such as food items, medical care, hygiene kits, clean drinking water, and food to protect them from likely disease outbreaks.

Ibrahim, who appealed for more support from the federal government and donor agencies, said; “The number of the displaced persons has now risen to about 3,000. We need the Federal Government and donor agencies to support states and local government areas affected by flood in providing relief materials to them.

“It has been raining these days and many houses are collapsing, especially mud houses. This morning alone, four people have been confirmed dead in Gashua”.

It was also reported that the Council Chairman has since directed those living in mud houses to immediately vacate such accommodation to forestall further casualties from the flood.

Meanwhile, available reports also indicated that the two federal roads leading to Gashua have already collapsed and are cut off in the last couple of days.

Competent sources in the local government said the unfortunate development has made it difficult for emergency and humanitarian workers to effectively respond to the needs of those currently displaced from their homes and the community.