A midnight rainstorm has killed five persons and injured 92 residents of Fika and Potiskum local councils of Yobe State.

The five-hour downpour also impacted 48 other communities across seven local councils in the state.

Confirming the disaster in Damaturu, the Executive Secretary of Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Mohammed Goje, stated: “The expected rainstorm this year has significantly affected over 1,200 households, leading to the displacement of about 5,000 residents in the two most affected council areas.”

In response to the tragedy, the SEMA, in collaboration with the German Foreign Office in Nigeria (GFO), provided relief materials for distribution to the 566 affected households in Fika and Potiskum.

Prior to the distribution of relief materials, a joint needs assessment was conducted by the German government and the agency to identify the most affected victims. The team targeted over 1,200 households that lost their homes and personal belongings or were unable to access basic hygiene services.

In addition to the distribution of relief materials, the WASH Project Manager of GFO, Mohammed Kingimi, reaffirmed the German government’s commitment to providing food security and livelihood support for the survivors.

Goje urged the beneficiaries to utise the relief materials effectively, as the state government is dedicated to safeguarding the vulnerable population in emergency response initiatives.