At least 49 people have lost their lives and thousands have been displaced due to severe flooding in northeastern Nigeria, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Three states in the northeast, Jigawa, Adamawa, and Taraba, have been severely impacted by the floods, displacing over 41,000 people. NEMA spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel stated on Monday that the situation is dire, particularly in the northern part of the country, as the peak of the rainy season is yet to arrive.

The floods have also caused significant damage to farmlands, affecting around 693 hectares of agricultural land. This has contributed to the already high food prices and double-digit inflation in Nigeria.

In addition to the flooding, farmers in the northeast are facing challenges due to repeated attacks by armed individuals, forcing many to abandon their farms. This further exacerbates the agricultural crisis in the region. (ILKHA)