Thousands of residents in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, have been left homeless after heavy rainfall triggered severe flooding on Friday, destroying numerous homes and farmlands.
The flood, which began around 8:14 a.m., particularly affected areas behind the State Police Commissioner’s residence, leaving residents unable to save their belongings.
Residents, including Ibrahim Muhammad Musa, described the situation as catastrophic, with many lamenting that despite knowing the area was prone to flooding, they had hoped the government would implement measures to prevent such disasters.
Musa criticized successive administrations for neglecting their promises to address the community’s plight.
The flood also affected Angwar Danturai, near Government House, where properties worth millions of Naira were damaged, and children were seen swimming in the floodwaters.
The Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Gusau was inundated, making access impossible.
Several neighborhoods, including Samaru and Gengerin Maigemu, saw homes submerged, with residents mourning the loss of valuable properties. Business activities across Gusau were severely disrupted, with many traders unable to open shops or drained by cleanup efforts.
Despite the widespread damage, the Zamfara State government has yet to release an official statement regarding the disaster, aside from previous remarks on flooding in Gummi Local Government Area.
Prominent figures, including Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, have donated relief funds and supplies to flood victims.
