Jigawa Devastated: Deadly Windstorm Leaves Seven Dead, Dozens Injured
Jigawa State has been hit by a severe windstorm, leading to seven deaths and 53 injuries across 13 Local Government Areas. The disaster, confirmed by SEMA, also destroyed over 47 schools, 3 hospitals, and 2 police stations, prompting state government intervention and appeals for external aid.
A severe windstorm has caused widespread devastation in Jigawa State, leading to the deaths of at least seven people and injuries to 53 others. Hannafi Fagam, the executive secretary of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), confirmed the tragedy on Wednesday, detailing the extensive damage across the state.
The disaster significantly impacted 5,403 households spread across 120 communities within 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs). These affected LGAs include Dutse, Miga, Gwaram, Birnin Kudu, Ringim, Kiyawa, Babura, Kiri-Kasamma, Buji, Kaugama, Gumel, Gagarawa, and Sule-Tankarkar. Mr. Fagam specified the distribution of fatalities, with four deaths recorded in Dutse LGA, and one fatality each in Miga, Ringim, and Sule-Tankarkar LGAs.
Beyond the human toll, the windstorm also wreaked havoc on critical public infrastructure. More than 47 primary and secondary schools were destroyed, along with three hospitals and two police stations, alongside numerous private properties. In response to the crisis, the Jigawa State government has swiftly approved emergency funds to provide immediate intervention and relief support to the victims in the affected regions. Describing the incident as a natural disaster, Mr. Fagam issued an urgent appeal to international donor agencies, national organizations, and the general public, requesting their intervention and support for the ongoing relief efforts to assist the affected individuals and communities.