Windstorm kills seven, injures 53 in Jigawa

No fewer than seven people have been killed and 53 others injured following a devastating windstorm that swept across parts of Jigawa State.

The Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Hannafi Yakubu Fagam, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Wednesday at his office in the State Secretariat, Dutse.

Fagam said the disaster affected 5,403 households in 120 communities across 13 local government areas.

The affected councils include Dutse, Miga, Gwaram, Birnin Kudu, Ringim, Kiyawa, Babura, Kiri-Kasamma, Buji, Kaugama, Gumel, Gagarawa and Sule Tankarkar.

According to him, four of the deaths occurred in Dutse Local Government Area, while one fatality each was recorded in Miga, Ringim and Sule Tankarkar local government areas.

He added that the windstorm also caused extensive damage to public infrastructure, destroying more than 47 primary and secondary schools, three hospitals, two police stations, numerous residential buildings and other property.

The SEMA boss said the Jigawa State Government had already approved funds for emergency intervention and the distribution of relief materials to affected victims across the state.

He appealed to international development partners, national organisations and well-meaning members of the public to support the government’s efforts in providing assistance to those affected.