Residents of the Bara community in the Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State have blamed an unfinished road construction project for the devastating flood that claimed the lives of a woman and her granddaughter and destroyed several houses and property in the area.
- +Bauchi community blames uncompleted road for deadly flood disaster
Speaking with journalists on Sunday, a resident, 64-year-old Dahiru Yuguda, whose house and livestock were destroyed by the flood, described the incident as unprecedented in the history of the community.
Speaking with journalists on Sunday, a resident, 64-year-old Dahiru Yuguda, whose house and livestock were destroyed by the flood, described the incident as unprecedented in the history of the community.
According to him, the flood left residents devastated and homeless.
“Our community has never witnessed this kind of rainfall and flooding before. For more than a hundred years, people have lived in this community, and nobody can remember experiencing such a disaster,” Yuguda said.
He attributed the incident to the ongoing road construction project in the area, alleging that the unfinished work diverted floodwaters into residential areas.
“We suspect that the road construction is responsible for what happened. The project has not been completed, and the water channels have not been properly identified or redirected. If the road had been completed, the water would have flowed through the appropriate channels,” he stated.
Yuguda lamented that many residents were now living without shelter and feared further hardship should another rainfall occur.
“Since the flood occurred, there has not been another rainfall, but whenever we see clouds gathering, everybody becomes frightened because many families no longer have roofs over their heads,” he added.
He explained that women and children were currently occupying the few rooms still standing, while many young people were sleeping outside.
“Some women and their children are managing the remaining rooms, while many youths sleep in open spaces. Whenever the weather changes, people become worried because they do not know where to seek refuge,” he said.
The community leader appealed to government agencies and relevant authorities to intervene urgently.
“What we need now is for the road project to be completed so that the water channels can be properly identified and redirected. We also need support from the government and humanitarian organisations to rebuild our houses and provide shelter for affected families,” he appealed.
Also speaking, another victim, 30-year-old Adamu Muhammad, said his greatest concern was the welfare of his elderly parents and young children.
He explained that the flood destroyed all the buildings within his compound, including the family’s source of water.
“The flood destroyed everything we had, including our well, which was our only source of water. My major concern now is how to take care of my elderly parents and young children,” Muhammad said.
He noted that older members of the community had repeatedly said they had never witnessed a similar disaster.
Muhammad recalled how residents struggled to evacuate vulnerable people during the disaster.
“We had to move elderly people out of their houses and take them to a nearby mosque for safety. It was a very difficult situation,” he added.
He also appealed to philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians to assist victims in rebuilding their homes and restoring their livelihoods.
“We are calling on individuals, charitable organisations and philanthropists to come to our aid. We need help to rebuild our houses and start our lives again,” he said.
Recall that heavy rainfall, accompanied by strong winds, on Tuesday claimed the lives of two persons and destroyed several houses, livestock and property in the Bara community, Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The victims were identified as 50-year-old Aisha Sagir and her four-year-old granddaughter, Aisha Shuaibu, both residents of Unguwar Katsinawa in Bara Village.
