Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A devastating heavy downpour that lasted for more than an hour on Thursday night, August 20, 2026, has left a trail of destruction in Gandun Sarki community, Malam Madori Local Government Area of Jigawa State, killing two children, injuring several others, and destroying more than 20 houses. The torrential rain, which ripped through parts of the Hadejia Senatorial District, caught many residents asleep, leading to building collapses and widespread flooding that submerged several homes and forced families to flee for safety.
The father of the deceased children, Malam Suma’ila, told journalists that the room where his two children, aged five and eight, were sleeping collapsed in the early hours of Friday, August 21, 2026. He said other female members of the family were rescued from the rubble and rushed to Hadejia General Hospital for medical attention. The injured victims are currently receiving treatment at the hospital. One of the affected residents, Sani Abubakar, whose entire house was completely destroyed by the flood, appealed to the Jigawa State Government to come to their aid with shelter and relief materials.
The community leader, Malam Jamilu Bulama, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Friday, saying he had ordered his aides to compile a full list of those affected in Gandun Sarki and nearby areas. He noted that the damage could have been worse but for drainage systems and culverts built by the state government last year, which helped channel some of the water and reduced the impact in parts of the community. Despite the scale of the disaster, relevant agencies in the state were yet to speak on the incident as of Friday evening. The Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency had not issued any official statement on the house collapses and flooding. However, the Hadejia Zonal Public Relations Officer, Musa Muhammad, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Friday. “The incident happened in Gandun Sarki, Malam Madori LGA during Thursday’s heavy rain. We are aware of the casualties and damage to houses,” Muhammad said, adding that “the zonal office was monitoring the situation”.
Background checks show that Jigawa experiences similar flooding almost every rainy season, as many towns and villages along waterways, including major cities, are often hit due to poor drainage and blocked culverts. In several communities, indiscriminately dumped waste blocks water channels, worsening flooding whenever it rains heavily. With more rainfall expected during the season, residents are calling for faster emergency response, stronger drainage systems and support for families whose homes have been destroyed. As the community mourns the loss of two young lives and begins the arduous task of rebuilding, the tragedy in Gandun Sarki serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness in Jigawa State and across Nigeria.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments