Windstorm destroys over 1000 houses in Niger

A devastating windstorm has wreaked havoc across several local government areas in Niger State, destroying over 1,000 houses and leaving scores of residents displaced.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency made this known in a statement on Thursday by the Director General, Abdullahi Baba-Arah.

Baba-Arah listed Mokwa, Bida, and some other Local Government Areas of Niger State as having been affected by the windstorm.

The NSEMA DG said his agency is collaborating with other relevant stakeholders to determine the full extent of damages and the humanitarian needs of the afgected victims.

“The Niger State Emergency Management Agency has commenced rapid assessment following a devastating windstorm disaster that affected several communities across Mokwa, Bida, and some other Local Government Areas of Niger State.

“Preliminary reports indicate over 1,000 houses were destroyed /severely damaged in Mokwa LGA communities that includes, Sawmill, Kpege Wayata, Kpege, Station Girigi, Efu Shaba Lile, Tifin Madza, Yafu, Etisheshi, Hakimi Aliyu and Nasfat areas. In Bida LGA, affected wards include Cheniyan, Nasarafu, Bariki, Kyari, Dokoza, Masaga A and Masaga B.

“In addition, windstorm incidents were also recorded in Lavun, Katcha, Gbako and Mariga Local Government Areas, where over 100 houses were earlier reported destroyed in Durgu Community under Bobi Ward of Mariga LGA.

“NSEMA, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and local Government authorities are currently conducting detailed assessments to determine the full extent of damages and humanitarian needs of affected victims,” he said.

Recall that in February, a wind and rainstorm displaced more than 2,000 residents and damaged no fewer than 179 houses across three communities in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo state.

The affected communities, Eroke Atte, Ukwa Erekpe and Okagba, were hit by the disaster on February 1, 2026, at about 5pm.(Punch)