The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has swiftly responded to flooding in Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe State, following heavy rainfall on 15th August 2025.
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, promptly activated the Maiduguri Operations Office, which immediately deployed a rescue team to the affected communities.
The team, led by the Chief Search and Rescue Officer, Malam Bala Iyam, is working in collaboration with the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other humanitarian partners to carry out rescue operations and rapid impact assessments.
The joint response team, comprising NEMA, Yobe SEMA, YEMABUS, IOM, ICRC and the Centre for Civilians in Conflict, commenced immediate assessments and delivered urgent relief support to households in need.
Preliminary findings from the assessments indicate that 21 communities across five wards of Potiskum Local Government Area have been affected. Many houses, mostly mud structures, were destroyed, displacing a significant number of residents, with women and children making up the majority of the displaced population.
A temporary camp has been established at Sabon Gari Primary School where 102 households, totaling 612 individuals, are currently being sheltered, while others are accommodated by relatives and host communities.
The Federal and Yobe State Governments, through NEMA and SEMA, reaffirm their commitment to timely disaster response, transparency and support to households in distress, ensuring that affected persons receive the necessary assistance to rebuild their lives.
16th August 2025
