TORRENTIAL rainfall between Thursday night and Friday morning has left a trail of destruction in Zaria, Kaduna State, displacing over 470 children and destroying more than 270 households in what local officials described as the worst flood in years.
News Point Nigeria reports that a coordinated assessment mission led by the Zaria Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Jamil Ahmad Muhammad Jaga, in partnership with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), visited the affected communities to ascertain the extent of damage.
The inspection tour covered some of the hardest-hit areas including Kofar Kuyanbana, Gangaren Mobil, Bayan Cinema in Tudun Wada Ward, and Magume, Bako Zuntu, and Kamacha in Tukur Tukur Ward where floodwaters had swept away homes, foodstuffs, electronics, and other household items.
Residents narrated harrowing experiences of losing everything within hours as floodwaters submerged entire compounds, forcing families to flee in the middle of the night.
“This is a tragedy beyond words. Many families are now stranded with no roof over their heads, and over 470 children have been displaced. We are thankful no lives were lost that is nothing short of divine mercy,” said Alhaji Jaga while addressing reporters during the assessment.
The Nigerian Red Cross Society, Zaria Division, has already commenced the distribution of relief materials such as food items, blankets, and emergency supplies to the displaced families.
In a statement, the Red Cross emphasized the urgent need for more humanitarian assistance, warning that affected victims are facing worsening hardship without immediate intervention.
“We are appealing to government agencies, corporate bodies, philanthropists, and NGOs to step in and support these families. Without quick relief, their suffering will escalate,” a Red Cross official told News Point Nigeria.
Authorities say further impact assessments are ongoing, with plans to mobilize additional relief support to cushion the effect of the disaster on displaced persons.
State officials have also called for improved flood control infrastructure, drainage expansion, and community sensitization to prevent similar disasters in the future.
