A 50-year-old woman and her four-year-old granddaughter have died after a building collapsed on them during a devastating rainstorm in Unguwar Katsinawa, Bara Village, in Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when heavy rainfall triggered the collapse of their residential building, trapping the victims inside before they could be rescued.
The victims were identified as Aisha Sagir, 50, and her granddaughter, Aisha Shuaibu, aged four, both of whom were confirmed dead after they were pulled from the rubble.
The rainstorm also left widespread destruction across the community, as several buildings were damaged and property worth significant amounts of money was destroyed, leaving many residents displaced and distressed.
In addition, livestock and household belongings valued at millions of naira were also reportedly affected, further worsening the impact of the disaster on affected families.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the spokesperson of the Bauchi State Police Command, SP Nafiu Habib, said officers from the Kirfi Divisional Police Headquarters visited the scene shortly after receiving reports of the collapse.
He described the incident as a tragic loss for the affected family and the community, adding that the police worked to assess the situation and ensure that order was maintained in the area.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani Aliyu, extended condolences to the bereaved family and residents of Kirfi Local Government Area over the unfortunate incident.
He said, “Our thoughts are with the family that lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident. We pray that they find the strength to bear this painful loss.”
The commissioner also sympathised with other residents whose homes and means of livelihood were affected by the rainstorm, noting that the command remains committed to supporting affected communities.
The police command further assured the public of continued collaboration with relevant emergency and disaster management agencies to protect lives and respond swiftly to future disasters.
Residents were also advised to remain vigilant during the rainy season and promptly report emergencies to security agencies to enable quick response in times of disaster.