Rainstorm Wreaks Havoc in Niger Community

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Not less than 100 houses and other property worth millions of naira have been destroyed in Rafin-Gora community in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State by heavy rainfall accompanied by a storm last week.

As a result, most of the villagers are now homeless with the lucky ones among them staying with relations in neighbouring villages.

The rain, which was said to have lasted for more than three hours, also wreaked havoc on farmlands and washed away animals.

The state Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Umaru Bago, who led a delegation to the community to commiserate with them,  described the incident as sad and disastrous.

The governor, who was also represented by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, advised the people residing on banks of rivers to vacate the areas to avoid being affected by the flood.

He also told the people to stop constructing houses on waterways.

Bago said rainfall prediction for the year had shown that flooding will take place in most states, Niger inclusive, saying the people should not handle the forecast with levity.

The governor donated N3 million to the victims while the Speaker announced a donation of N1 million from the member representing Kontagora Mariga and Magama constituency in the state House of Assembly.

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