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Seven Dead, 5,403 Affected as Windstorms Ravage 120 Jigawa Communities

Published

3 months ago

July 8, 2026

Seven Dead, 5,403 Affected as Windstorms Ravage 120 Jigawa Communities

The Jigawa State Emergency Relief Management Agency (SEMA) has confirmed that no fewer than seven persons have lost their lives, while 5,403 others have been affected following a series of devastating windstorms that swept through 120 communities across 13 local government areas of the state, destroying homes, schools, health facilities, and critical public infrastructure. The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Hon. Hannafi Yakubu, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Dutse on the extent of the destruction caused by the disaster. He said the windstorms, which accompanied the onset of the rainy season, have left a trail of destruction across the state, damaging residential buildings and public infrastructure, including schools, health facilities, and police stations.

According to Yakubu, about 50 schools and health facilities, as well as two police stations, were damaged by the storms, making it the most significant disaster currently facing the state. The windstorms have impacted 120 communities spread across villages and towns in the affected local government areas. The affected local government areas include Dutse, Gwaram, Birnin Kudu, Kiyawa, Babura, Gumel, Kaugama, Ringim, Gagarawa, Kirikasamma, Sule Tankarkar, Miga and Buji. Ringim Local Government recorded the highest number of victims, with 1,182 affected persons, followed by Dutse with 792, Babura with 650, Kirikasamma with 605 and Birnin Kudu with 539. In Dutse metropolis, the heavy rainfall and windstorm destroyed fences, blew off the roofs of houses and shops, and damaged electricity poles and power lines, leaving many communities without electricity for more than 16 hours. The affected areas within the state capital include Gida Dubu, Takur Site, Mobile, Kudi, Dan Masara, Kwaimawa, and Yalwawa.

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Affected residents of Dutse have described the rainstorms as one of the most destructive in recent times, with many affected families left homeless and now seeking temporary shelter with neighbours and relatives. Maryam Hashim, whose home was damaged, recounted that the rainstorm was so intense that part of her roof was blown away and sections of her fence collapsed before she could comprehend what was happening, and she noted that they were still trying to come to terms with the extent of the damage. For Tukur Malami, a resident of the Yalwawa area, the devastation was particularly painful, as he had spent nearly 15 years building his house, which was not yet completed, though the family had moved in due to high rental costs; he lamented that neighbours had accommodated them for two days yet they had no idea how to begin again, appealing to the government for urgent aid and noting the difficulty of housing his two wives and six children in a neighbour’s home. Abdulkahar Lawal also reported that the storm destroyed his entrance gate and damaged his garden, leaving him shocked to find his gate badly damaged and several plants he had spent years nurturing destroyed.

The intense rainfall immediately exposed the systemic failure of drainage infrastructure in many communities, as channels and culverts designed to divert floodwaters away from residential zones were choked with accumulated waste and plastic debris, which exacerbated the flooding. Some residents attributed the severity of the flooding to the abandonment of annual, community-led drainage clearing exercises and warned that the situation could lead to even more severe flooding if urgent measures are not taken. Hassan Sani advised homeowners to inspect their roofs, gates, and fences regularly to minimise damage during heavy rainfall, and he also urged residents to secure loose roofing sheets and trim trees near their homes. Residents expressed growing concern over recurring storm damage, highlighting the urgent need for better structural maintenance and preparedness during the rainy season.

Yakubu explained that SEMA has been working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assess the level of damage and coordinate emergency response efforts. Describing disaster management as a collective responsibility, he called on the Federal Government, local governments, development partners, humanitarian organisations, corporate bodies, and well-meaning individuals to support efforts aimed at assisting affected communities. He revealed that, as part of its disaster preparedness measures, the Jigawa State Government had approved more than N800 million for the procurement of emergency relief materials before the onset of the rainy season, adding that the relief materials are being stockpiled to enable the government to respond promptly to emergencies across the state. During a visit to affected communities in Ringim, the council chairman, Hon. Badamasi Garba, confirmed the scale of the disaster and noted that three institutions—the local council, Jigawa State Government, and NEMA—are coordinating relief operations, and all district heads have received orders to work with village leaders in documenting affected families. Dr Nuraddeen Abdullahi, NEMA’s Kano/Jigawa zonal director, arrived in the state to assess damage firsthand, telling reporters the visit aimed to show federal solidarity with victims and measure the destruction for possible federal intervention.

Yakubu also confirmed that an isolated flooding incident was recorded in Miga Local Government Area, where more than 70 hectares of farmland were destroyed. However, he clarified that the incident could not yet be classified as part of the annual flooding season, since major rivers across the state had not overflowed. The SEMA Executive Secretary assured residents that the state government would continue to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response mechanisms to minimise the impact of natural disasters and provide relief to affected communities. Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency has warned that more than 148 communities across the state are at high risk of flooding this season and has urged residents in flood-prone communities to take precautionary measures.

Seven Dead, 5,403 Affected as Windstorms Ravage 120 Jigawa Communities

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NSCIA Rejects Genocide Claims, Demands Urgent Security Overhaul

Published

5 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

NSCIA Rejects Genocide Claims, Demands Urgent Security Overhaul

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has rejected claims that Christians or any other religious community is facing genocide in Nigeria, saying the country’s insecurity affects citizens regardless of their faith.

The council, however, demanded an urgent and comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s security architecture, while supporting decentralised policing subject to constitutional safeguards, professionalism, impartiality, accountability, adequate funding and respect for fundamental rights.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued after the NSCIA General Assembly held at the Abuja National Mosque on October 1, 2026, under the theme, “Nigerian Muslims and the Imperative of Nation-building.”

The assembly was presided over by the Sultan of Sokoto and NSCIA President-General, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, with Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, Chief Imams, leaders of major Islamic organisations and delegates from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in attendance.

On the country’s security challenges, the council said insecurity affects all Nigerians regardless of faith, rejecting attempts to frame the crisis as an attack on one particular religious group.

It urged the Federal Government to undertake a comprehensive review of the security system and improve coordination between federal and state security institutions.

The NSCIA backed state or decentralised policing, but stressed that any such arrangement must be built around professionalism, impartiality, accountability, sustainable funding, constitutional safeguards and protection of fundamental human rights.

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The council’s position comes amid continuing national debate over proposals to amend Nigeria’s constitutional framework to allow more decentralised policing.

Beyond security, the NSCIA urged the government to accelerate measures to reduce the rising cost of food and transportation, saying ordinary Nigerians were still facing significant economic hardship.

The council acknowledged efforts to revive the economy but called for faster action to ease the burden on households.

The Islamic body also cautioned against using religion to promote hatred, violence and division.

It urged Muslim scholars to resolve disagreements through internal mechanisms rather than publicly attacking one another, while encouraging Muslims to verify information before circulating allegations or claims that could damage individuals or deepen social tensions.

On religious rights, the council called on government institutions to respect the right of Muslim women and girls to wear the hijab, including female students, NYSC members, security personnel and Muslim women working in other organisations.

The NSCIA also criticised what it described as hostile positions by the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Lagos concerning Supreme Court judgments on hijab use in their international schools.

It urged the institutions to comply with the relevant court decisions and adopt more inclusive policies.

The council further called on the Rivers State Government and the management of Rivers State University to implement a Supreme Court judgment concerning the construction of a mosque for Muslim students at the institution.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the NSCIA urged Muslims to obtain their National Identification Numbers (NINs) and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in choosing leaders at all levels.

It said civic participation was part of the responsibility of citizens and encouraged Muslims to contribute positively to nation-building.

The council also encouraged Muslim organisations to promote economic independence through lawful investments and stronger administration of Zakat and Waqf as tools for sustainable poverty reduction.

On education, it called for greater emphasis on quality learning that combines Islamic knowledge with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).

The General Assembly also adopted the 2026 report of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and endorsed its recommendations for repositioning the Hajj industry.

The NSCIA additionally honoured its Secretary-General, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, for his contributions to education and national development during his tenure as JAMB Registrar from August 2016 to July 2026.

The council’s resolutions come amid continuing debate over religious violence, insecurity and allegations of persecution in Nigeria.

By rejecting a religious-genocide framing while demanding broad security reforms, the NSCIA said the country’s security crisis should be addressed as a national challenge affecting Nigerians across religious lines.

NSCIA Rejects Genocide Claims, Demands Urgent Security Overhaul

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Breaking: PINL Drags Asari-Dokubo To DSS Over N2.7tn Pipeline Claim

Published

5 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Breaking: PINL Drags Asari-Dokubo To DSS Over N2.7tn Pipeline Claim

Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) over a claim by Niger Delta activist Asari-Dokubo that about N2.7 trillion is paid annually for pipeline surveillance contracts.

In the petition dated October 7, 2026, PINL described the allegation as false and inciting, arguing that the claim could expose its directors and senior management to security threats and undermine peace in the Niger Delta.

The company said Dokubo made the allegation in a video circulated on social media on October 5 while discussing pipeline surveillance contracts and other developments in the oil-producing region.

PINL urged the DSS to investigate the allegation, establish its source and invite Dokubo to provide evidence supporting the claim.

The company further asked that if the allegation is found to be false, Dokubo should publicly retract it and face any appropriate legal action.

PINL said the circulation of the claim could create the impression that huge amounts of public money were being diverted to particular individuals or interests, potentially fuelling resentment among communities in the oil-producing region.

The company also expressed concern that the allegation could heighten ethnic tensions involving Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo communities, warning that renewed tensions could threaten security gains recorded in the Niger Delta.

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According to PINL, the security of oil infrastructure has wider implications for Nigeria’s crude oil production, government revenue and foreign exchange earnings, making stability in the region a matter of national importance.

The company said it had contributed to efforts to combat crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and militancy, and warned that any deterioration in security could affect national oil output.

PINL also asked the DSS to conduct a threat assessment and consider protection for its directors, management, employees and project sites.

The company’s petition comes amid a wider controversy over pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta, following Dokubo’s allegations involving the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and other stakeholders.

The Olu of Warri has separately rejected the allegation that he receives N2.7 trillion annually from pipeline surveillance contracts.

Through his representative to NNPC Limited and its joint-venture partners, Collins Edema, the monarch challenged Dokubo to produce documentary evidence supporting the claim.

Edema also called for relevant pipeline surveillance contracts, procurement records, government approvals, corporate documents and performance reports to be examined if questions have been raised about the arrangements.

The monarch’s representative said allegations concerning the management of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure should be addressed through evidence and independent scrutiny rather than rhetoric.

The dispute has therefore widened from a public exchange over the alleged N2.7tn pipeline contract payments into a formal security complaint, with PINL asking the DSS to investigate the claims and determine whether they constitute a threat to individuals or public order.

The actual value, beneficiaries and terms of the pipeline surveillance arrangements remain matters for documentary verification and investigation.

Breaking: PINL Drags Asari-Dokubo To DSS Over N2.7tn Pipeline Claim

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Breaking: 20 Abducted Corps Members Regain Freedom In Imo

Published

7 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Breaking: 20 Abducted Corps Members Regain Freedom In Imo

Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and another person abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State have regained their freedom.

The abducted corps members were reportedly rescued on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, bringing relief to their families after days in captivity.

The victims are currently receiving medical treatment at the Department of State Services (DSS) Hospital in Owerri, according to a report confirming their release. (NPO Reports)

The prospective corps members were among passengers travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in the South-East and South-South when gunmen attacked vehicles conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State on October 1.

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The incident triggered a major security operation involving the police, military, DSS and other security agencies as efforts intensified to locate and rescue those taken into captivity.

Earlier reports said the abductors had demanded ransom from the families of the victims, while relatives raised concerns about the safety and wellbeing of the kidnapped graduates.

Security agencies had also deployed additional personnel and operational assets to Imo State as pressure mounted for the safe recovery of the NYSC members.

The latest development means the 20 prospective corps members and another abducted person are now out of captivity and receiving medical attention.

Details of the circumstances surrounding their rescue, including whether any arrests were made or ransom was paid, were not immediately available.

The development is expected to bring significant relief to the families who had spent days seeking the safe return of their loved ones.