Nigeria: 7 Communities destroyed by flood as governor raised concern over influx of Bandits, Boko Haram in Niger

Nigeria: 7 Communities destroyed by flood as governor raised concern over influx of Bandits, Boko Haram in Niger

By: James Bwala

Seven communities in Shiroro local government area of Niger state in North Central Nigeria have been submerged by flood.

The water broke out of the ongoing construction of the Zungeru hydro electric power plant destroying houses across the seven Communities causing serious damage to livelihoods of the people.

The state governor, Abubakar Bello disclosed this when he visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Gwada Central Primary School.

He said that the federal government had made provisions for the affected communities to move to higher grounds.

Bello said that he would liaise with the Federal Ministry of Works to hasten the release of funds so that people in the affected communities could relocate to higher grounds, as well as payment of compensation.

The governor, however, sympathised with the people that had been displaced as a result of the activities of bandits, adding that no fewer than “4,000 IDPs are currently at Gwada camp.”

The governor described the situation at the IDPs camp as “worrisome,” observing that ”there is the need for normalcy to be restored in the affected communities.

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”This is to enable them to return home to avoid the outbreak of epidemics in the camp.

“We have almost 4,000 IDPs displaced by banditry and the construction of Zungeru dam, some communities have been flooded and are underwater and have left, while they have not not been paid compensation.

“The situation is serious, we are concerned that epidemics can spread, we are making efforts with security agencies as they have been up to the task and have dealt decisively with the bandits.” The governor said.

Sani-Bello also raised concern about “the influx of bandits and Boko Haram elements in and out of Shiroro local government.

”They have continued to detonate improvised explosive devices in Galadima-kogo, just as efforts were ongoing by the security agencies to restore normalcy.”

The governor noted that about twelve local government areas in the state were being occupied by bandits, adding that security agencies were using new tactics and strategies to neutralise them.

Nigeria: 7 Communities destroyed by flood as governor raised concern over influx of Bandits, Boko Haram in Niger