Niger lost 349 lives to disasters in 10 months- NSEMA

By Daniel Ebi, Minna. 

Four Major disaster in four local government areas  of Niger State  has claimed  three hundred and forty nine lives in ten months from September 2024 to June 2025.

The Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Ara in a release said the agency has been kept on their toes. 

He expressed the agency’s deepest condolences to families affected by the disasters and reaffirm its unwavering commitment towards safeguarding the lives and property of all residence in the State. 

Alhaji Ara disclosed that, the first major disaster that occurred during his tenure was the Agaie tanker explosion on the 24th of September, 2024 which left on its trail deaths and destruction of properties. 

” in the aftermath of the  tragic tanker explosion in Agaie local government sixty lives were lost and eight persons sustained injuries “

According to him,  in quick succession, the devastating Diko  Tanker explosion happened on the 18th of January 2025 were eighty (80) lives were lost and hundred of people sustained major injuries. 

The Director General said this was followed by the sabon period, in Mashegu local government dynamite explosion which also claimed two lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira and leaving some individuals incapacitated.

Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Ara noted that, the recent Mokwa flood disaster which claimed 207 lives which the state is still battling with was the turning point for the agency as it stretched her manpower and resources to the limit, but Commended Governor Mohammed Umar Bago for his unrelenting support to the agency in delivering on its mandate. 

He pointed out that, as the raining season  intensify, the Agency has carried out flood assessment exercises in some select communities in the state. 

” we conducted a rapid  assessment in flood affected communities such as Kpautagi,  Jaagi, Bida and Katcha” 

The measures, he noted are aimed at ensuring that residents of those communities are abreast with the weather pattern and make adequate preparation to avoid loss of lives and property. 

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency boss However, express worry at the effect of banditry on some communities in the State. 

” A Humanitarian crisis is brewing in Rijau local government area as a result of armed banditry which has suddenly resurface across Rijau and Mariga”