Downpour destroys over 250 homes in Katsina as Kogi, farmers pray against drought

No fewer than 250 homes have been destroyed at Natsinta community in Jibia Local Council of Katsina State, following three days of torrential rainfall and the attendant flooding.

Though no life was lost, several people were said to have sustained injuries, with some of them currently receiving treatment in hospitals.

The affected houses, mostly mud-brick structures, were totally or partially submerged, with more than 1,000 people including women and children, said to have been affected by the incident.

With the destruction, many of the victims have been left in a state of distress and uncertainty as to where they would shelter or sleep during nighttime.

The lawmaker representing the council in the state House of Assembly, Mustafa Yusuf who visited the community, regretted the extent of damage he saw.

Yusuf assured victims that the House would sit this week on the matter, to enable the state government to come to their aid.

He called on stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations, politicians, and members of the business community, to come to assist the victims.

Also speaking, the councilor in charge of the area, Shamsu Hassan, submitted that most of the victims lost not just their homes, but also essentials and belongings.

CONVERSELY, the Kogi government and the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), yesterday, are hopeful of rainfall, following the devastating effects of drought on farm crops and food security in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Timothy Ojomah and AFAN Chairman, Salihu Adobayi, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja.

“We have to resort to prayers for God to help send rain to us in Kogi because we may not achieve the desired food production and security.

“For over a month now, there’s been no rain, and the devastating effects of drought in the state are going to hamper what the state government has done for farmers this year in terms of intervention.

“If things work right, we are expecting bumper harvests.

“Unfortunately, we are facing drought across the state right now. It has affected most of our crops. Mostly affected are rice and maize farms, especially those that are almost maturing. I was at my maize farm yesterday, and it was a pitiful situation,” Adobayi said.