Flood destroys bridge in Yobe, cuts access to nine LGAS

A heavy downpour has reportedly destroyed a bridge connecting communities in nine LGAs to Damaturu, the Yobe capital.

Hassan Ibrahim, a resident, told TheCable on Saturday that the rainfall started at about 5 pm on Friday and lasted for hours.

Ibrahim said the collapsed bridge is located in Jumbam, Tarmuwa LGA of the state, and connects Bursari, Geidam, Dapci, Bursari, Jakusko, Yunusari, and Bade LGAs to Damaturu.

He said many farmlands in the Jumbam community have been washed away, adding that residents now use canoes to navigate the area.

“The heavy rainfall destroyed a bridge in Jumbam, Tarmuwa LGA of the state. The road leads to Bursari and Geidam. It connects Damaturu, the state capital, to about nine to 10 LGAs in Yobe,” Ibrahim said.

“People coming from Dapci, Bursari, Jakusko, and Bade take that route to access the state capital. The bridge has collapsed completely.

“People are now relying on canoes to access the state capital. The road was cut off today, and the government has been alerted since. The rainfall was very heavy.

“The bridge initially collapsed two years ago during severe flooding in various parts of the country. Although it was repaired and a culvert was constructed, it has now collapsed again due to the intense water flow.

“It affected people in Jumbum and the farmlands. Many farmlands were washed away.”

Meanwhile, Mohammed Goje, the executive secretary of the state emergency management agency (SEMA), had said 1,650 houses in Jajere and Yunusari were affected by the flood.

Goje also said 413 households in the areas were displaced by the recent flash flood.