Residents of Chikaji in the Sabon-Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State have appealed for assistance from the government and philanthropists over the flood that washed away cemetery, houses and properties in the area.

The flood ravaged the area on Monday, resulting from torrential rainfall lasting seven hours from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday in Zaria, the village head of Chikaji, Auwal Sani-Dambaba, said the flood affected over 200 houses in the area.

He added that the flood washed away parts of the LEA Primary School and desecrated a substantial part of the Ojo Cemetery.

“Currently, the victims took shelter in the neighbourhood, but no loss of life during the incident. However, many graves were left open,” the village head confirmed.

While lamenting the tragic incident, the village head said a day and hours after the flood, there was neither support nor assistance from the government at national or sub-national levels.

In a move to address the immediate challenges of the cemetery, the chief imam of Chikaji Central Mosque, Suleiman Liman, said the community had summoned an emergency meeting of wealthy individuals in the area.

Ibrahim Ahmed, One of the victims standing on the rubbles of the remains of his two-bedroom flat, said they were grateful to God that the flooding occurred during the day.

The victim appealed for support and quick interventions from the government at all levels, wealthy individuals and other key stakeholders to cushion the effect of the flood.

Gafai Katsina, a community leader in the area, said most of the flood victims were now squatting with some residents who were less affected, adding that some married women had returned to their parents pending the situation’s stability.

On Tuesday, a press statement from the Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives, lamented the flood in Sabon Gari and sought intervention for the victims.

Mr Tajuddeen called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to urgently come to the aid of the victims at this critical time.

(NAN)