Flood victims in Damaturu town have called on the federal government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide them relief materials to alleviate their hardship.
The communities are in Jakusko, Potiskum, and Gashua local government areas of Yobe State.
A resident of Damaturu, Buba Mai Bubu, particularly asked Governor Mai Mala Buni to promptly access the millions of naira earmarked by the federal government for states affected by flood.
One of the flood victims, Mallam Bala Dodo in Potiskum, called for swift actions to alleviate the suffering of those affected in the state, noting that the release and proper allocation of the funds lessen the impact on the lives of countless victims.
He expressed sorrow over the devastating flooding which recently ravaged the communities.
Another community leader oin Jakusko, who doesn’t want his name inprint, noted with concern the unprecedented flooding and windstorm in Jakusko, Fune, other communities, resulting in the destruction of houses, infrastructure including a bridge in Dachi, farmlands and livelihoods.
He said, “The affected communities have been plunged into total darkness due to the flood, which pulled down electric poles and damaged solar streetlights.
He said the affected communities need emergency assistance, including food, medical materials and the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.
He commended the Yobe State government for responding to the disaster, stressing “that the magnitude of the disaster requires additional support from the federal government.”
A resident of Gashua, Mallam Buba Ali, urged the National Emergency Management Agency and North East Development Commission (NEDC) to provide immediate relief materials to the affected communities, including food, water, blankets, mats, shelter, and medical supplies.
Leadership learnt that on 30th July 2025, heavy rainfall affected a community in the Damaturu local government area of the state, particularly within the Maisandari/ Waziri Ibrahim housing Easte ward. The incident resulted in the flooding of homes within the Sumsumma community.
The flooding impacted 195 individuals, 22 households, including 84 Males and 111 females. No casualties or injuries were recorded.
However, all affected individuals remain within the community in the same ward, with no displacement to other wards or local government. The primary needs identified include shelter, food, non-food items, and water.
In another development, Yobe State is taking proactive measures to prevent and mitigate the impact of floods, particularly in light of the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). Those measures include strengthening early warning systems, improving infrastructure, and enhancing community resilience.
However, these efforts are in response to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s (NiMet) seasonal climate prediction, which indicates potential flood risks.
Yobe State Governor Hon. (Dr) Mai Mala Buni is taking effective measures to curb floods and boost dry farming in the state.
The governor is currently constructing modern dams and reservoirs that will allow water to flow out and serve as reservoirs for dry farming after the rainy season is over.
Since the end of the last rainy season, the governor has vowed to take effective and urgent measures to curb floods in some areas severely affected by floods, including Damaturu, the state capital.
Damaturu has been suffering from severe flooding for years, and the governor has taken the first step by constructing a modern dam that will help solve the problem of surface water and improve the lives of the residents.
However, Ngalda town under Fika local government area is also facing challenges, especially the lack of water sources, which is considered to be the reason why they are facing the serious threat of flooding, which has become a threat to the economy of the area, agriculture, livestock and business activities.
The governor has also taken the step of constructing modern dams that will help improve the lives of the town’s residents, provide them with sustainable solutions to prevent flooding, and revive his government’s commitment to developing the state’s economy and improving the lives of the state’s residents.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the governor’s construction of the Damaturu dam is a new chapter that will boost the economy of Yobe State and improve the income sources of the state’s residents and businessmen.
Governor Buni is committed to providing sustainable solutions for the good people of Yobe State.
Similarly, the Yobe State House of Assembly has taken a significant step towards addressing the state’s persistent flooding challenges.
The move came to the fore during a sitting president over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Buba Chiroma Mashio on Tuesday, when the state deliberated on a motion presented by Hon Hassan Mohammed, representing the Yusufari constituency.
The motion called for urgent action to protect the lives and properties of residents affected by recurrent floods.
He called on the state House to mandate the House Committee on Environment and Disaster Management to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the situation in the Yusufari areas.
In his reaction, Mohammed Goje, the executive secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), said that the agency had activated its early warning systems and community sanitation efforts across vulnerable local government areas.
He said, “We have commenced a series of sensitisation camps in local languages across flood-affected communities, especially in Bade, Jakusko and Nguru.
He added, “We are also coordinating with local governments and traditional institutions to enforce environmental sanitation and clear blocked waterways,” said Goje.
The Ministry of Environment in the state has further confirmed that the desilting of major drainages in Damaturu, Potiskum, and Gashua is ongoing.
The state commissioner for the Environment disclosed that the government has also constituted a task force to monitor compliance with waste disposal regulations.
