A heavy rainstorm has wreaked havoc in Plateau and Niger States, leaving dozens of families homeless and farmlands in ruins.
In Plateau’s Shendam Local Government, the Shimankar District was hit early Sunday morning. At least 50 houses, two primary schools, and a place of worship in Menkaat community were damaged.
Lawrence Longwalk, a resident of Menkaat, described the storm as devastating.
“We’ve been hit seriously by this rainstorm,” he said. “Two schools and a worship centre have been completely destroyed. The people here need urgent help.”
Many homes had their roofs torn off while others collapsed entirely, forcing families to sleep out in the open.
Officials at the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency confirmed the incident, saying assessments were ongoing. Though the Executive Secretary, Sunday Abdu, could not be reached, a staff member said a team would visit the affected communities.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Niger State, flash floods submerged farmlands across parts of Paikoro and Lapai Local Government Areas. Residents of Kafin Koro and at least 18 other communities are counting their losses.
Crops worth millions were destroyed, with communities like Dere, Eshi, Apataku, Tsakanabi, Kuchi Kakanda, and Rebba worst affected.
Jonathan Vatsa, spokesperson for the Niger State Government, urged residents in flood-prone zones to evacuate before things get worse.
“We understand people are attached to their ancestral homes,” he said. “But with the flood alerts and what we’re already seeing, they need to move to safer ground.”
Vatsa added that the government is working on long-term solutions but stressed that lives must come first.
