The Niger State Government has commiserated with the people of Suleja and Gurumana, in Shiroro local government area of the State, over flood disaster and boat mishap that claimed about 10 lives.
Recall that an early morning downpour on Saturday in Suleja town of Niger State claimed at least seven lives and many are said to be unaccounted for. Valuables, including houses and cars were washed away.
Many of the victims are from the Rafin-Sanyin area and the neighbourhood of the Polo ground. Madalla, a town bordering the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Niger State also witnessed flooding from the early morning rain. Gwagwalada in Abuja was not spared with unconfirmed reports of a dead woman and her children, as was also reported in Suleja.
Also, reports say two women, two children, and two men died by drowning in Gurumana village of Shiroro Local Government Area, when the boat they were escaping in from an attack by bandits nearby, capsized.
In Niger State, a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mary Noel-Berje, expressed the Government’s sadness, saying that despite the flood alert, based on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA), and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) weather predictions earlier issued by the State Government, the ugly incident happened.
It urged all residents of the areas to adhere strictly to government advice on temporary relocation or clearing of drainages to avoid a repeat of the ugly incident.
On the boat mishap in Gurumana community in Shiroro local government, the government said the sad event is regrettable, while emphasising government’s relentless efforts to bring the menace of bandits to a conclusive end.
It appealed to communities in banditry-prone areas not to panic, assuring that the security agencies have been adequately mobilised to ensure the protection of lives and property.
Meanwhile, the State government has appealed to NEMA for emergency interventions that will cushion the hardship of the people of both communities, occasioned by the flood disaster and displacement by bandits.
The government prays for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives.
It would be recalled that the Niger State Government had, in a statement on July 13, appealed to all riverine Communities, particularly the flood prone areas in the State and those situated along the tributaries of River Niger to be cautious and pay attention to the rising water levels in their areas.
NEMA, NIHSA and NIMET had earlier predicted that many Local Government Areas in the State and other States fall within the highly probable flood risk areas for 2020.