By Ahmed Musa Kaugama
In the heart of Northern Nigeria, a harrowing tale of hunger and desperation has emerged, driven by the alarming drop in crop yields. Mallam Garba, a father of five (not his real name), recently buried his first daughter, Aisha, whose tragic demise was a direct result of the region’s crippling food crisis.
As mourners gathered at Aisha’s graveside, Mallam Garba shocked those in attendance with a heart-wrenching confession – his daughter had perished due to relentless hunger. With tears in his eyes, he recounted the grim story: “For weeks, my family endured excruciating hunger, often struggling to put even two meals on the table each day. Witnessing our deteriorating condition, Aisha, my beloved daughter, embarked on a daily fast, sacrificing her own meals so that her younger siblings could eat. She selflessly endured hunger, ensuring we had something to eat before bedtime. Sometimes, she couldn’t afford even two meals; if she ate at sunset, breaking her fast, she would skip a meal at sunrise. On the 30th day of her hunger strike, she began vomiting blood when she coughed. Tragically, we lost her just a few days later.”
Mallam Garba’s confession struck a chord, prompting individuals to step forward with monetary donations, while others pledged to assist him, his family, and Aisha’s siblings in their struggle against hunger.
**The Flood Factor: Impact on Northern Nigerian Farming**
The backdrop to this humanitarian crisis is the heavy toll of flooding on farming in northern Nigeria. The year 2022 ushered in the rainy season, characterized by torrential downpours, riverbanks bursting at the seams, and water released from neighboring Cameroon’s dams. These factors culminated in widespread flooding that affected 31 out of Nigeria’s 36 states. Satellite analysis conducted by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) between October 13-17 revealed that as many as 6.6 million people faced potential exposure to flooding, with over 30,000 square kilometers of land submerged across the country. Adamawa state bore a substantial brunt of the catastrophe, with an estimated 260,000 people grappling with the aftermath of floods, which obliterated nearly 1,000 square kilometers of land.
The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) attributed the flooding primarily to heavy rains that persisted from July 11 to October 24, 2022. The increased water flow from Cameroon’s highland rivers also contributed to the overflowing of the Benue River, inundating numerous communities in Adamawa state. To exacerbate matters, the spillage of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo dam further displaced people and wrought havoc on farmlands, barns, and properties.
Mr. Suleiman Muhammed, the Executive Secretary of the Adamawa Emergency Management Agency, provided grim statistics as of September 11, 2022 – 25 reported deaths, 58 individuals in critical condition, 131,638 displaced persons, and 153 communities in 18 local governments submerged. Alarmingly, the 2022 Humanitarian Needs Overview classified over 2.45 million people in Adamawa state as in need (PIN), including internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host community residents. Of this staggering number, over 1.1 million were classified as experiencing severe, extreme, or catastrophic needs.
The catastrophic flooding resulted in severely diminished crop yields, creating a dire humanitarian crisis. Among the affected communities, one stood out, marginalized for over five decades – Gerio. This community, existing for more than half a century, resides along the banks of the Benue River, and its inhabitants are predominantly fishermen and farmers. Our investigation delves into how floods have disrupted farming activities and upended the lives of Gerio’s resilient farmers.
Mallam Adamu Haruna, a fisherman and farmer with deep roots in Gerio, recounted his experiences, reflecting on the series of natural disasters, including floods and droughts. He stated, “Last year’s flood wiped out nearly all our farmland, leaving us without food throughout the rainy season. Our meager savings were depleted by food purchases, and we became reliant on the dwindling waters of the Gerio reserve river, which continues to dry up due to dry season farming. Even this year, we grapple with erratic weather patterns. Two months ago, a deluge washed away our crops, prompting us to replant in the hope of mitigating our suffering, but the yields remain insufficient.”
Hauwa Muhammad, another resident of Gerio, lamented the deteriorating health of their children due to relentless hunger. She voiced the frustrations of the community, explaining, “Our husbands rely solely on fishing, but the riverbanks are overgrown with tall grasses, making it impossible to repair their fishing nets. During the dry season, some areas of the river dry up, subjecting us to drought. Politicians and government agencies make promises, but none of these promises materialize.”
**The Cameroon Lagdo Dam Conundrum: Problem or Neglect?**
The Lagdo Dam in Cameroon has long been a contentious issue between Nigeria and its neighbor. This massive structure, known as “Binu
