Salihu Garba, overseeing director-general of Niger Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said five communities had been displaced, houses and farmlands submerged by flood in Niger.

Mr Garba stated this while giving update on the current flood situation in the state.

He said that the agency had received reports of flood incidents from 11 local government areas of the state.

“The local government areas are, Mokwa, Lavun, Edati, Gbako, Lapai, Agaie, Katcha, Magama, Rijau, Mariga and Chanchaga.

“The flood incidents are in various degrees, in some areas, houses have been submerged while in some, farmlands washed away and in some areas like Mokwa, five communities displaced,” he said.

Garba said that Mariga and Kontagora areas had experienced violent wind, which resulted in the destruction of houses and the death of a minor in Rafin-Gora area of Kontagora.

He said that there was also an upsurge of banditry attacks during the wet season in Mariga and Munya, which had prevented farmers from engaging in farming activities.

He said that two persons lost their lives as a result of bandit attacks in Mariga and about 60 people kidnapped, with over 1,000 persons displaced.

Mr Garba said that one person was killed with over 500 displaced in Munya, adding that those displaced from Mariga, were taking refuge in Bangi primary school.

Mr Garba said the state government was concerned over the upsurge of banditry activities during the wet season, adding it was a threat to food security in the country.

He said that Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger directed the agency to carry out an assessment of the affected communities in order to mitigate the effect on the economy.

Mr Garba said that the early warning system yielded results in saving lives, adding that the agency was working assiduously with comprehensive assessment list for short time relief measures for people displaced by flood.

(NAN)