The Kebbi State government 9n Friday confirmed that 29 died in a recent flood incident in the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Birnin Kebbi, disclosed this at a briefing in Birnin Kebbi.
He said the flood washed away 858,000 hectares of farmlands and destroyed 329,000 houses in the state.
The commissioner said the incident has overwhelmed the government despite its efforts to provide relief to the victims.
He said: “Governor Nasir’s administration has done its best to cater to those affected by the flooding, wholesome compilation of reports on the level of the disaster in each community in all the local government areas have been made and would be presented to the Federal Agencies concerned, this Friday.
“We are soliciting help, the situation is dire, and the government needs assistance to effectively resettle those affected.
“Many of them have lost their means of livelihood, the disaster has forced farmers into penury, shortage of food looms on the horizon, and our food security target is in jeopardy unless urgent measures are put in place to remedy the situation.
“The Kebbi government will provide improved seeds and other agricultural input to farmers to return to cultivation, but more is needed.
“Preliminary statistics show that seven persons died in Ngaski, eight in Maiyama, five in Kalgo, seven in Jega, and two in Birnin Kebbi, as a result of the flooding.”