Motorists, Passengers Stranded As Bridge Linking Borno, Yobe, Gombe Collapses

Due to the recent heavy downpour, the bridge linking parts of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states has collapsed.

Naija News reports that the disturbing development was confirmed in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday by the Yobe State Executive Secretary of State Emergency Managemenr Agency (SEMA).

It was reported that the Katarko bridge, after many hours of rain, parted ways on Tuesday morning as a flood took over parts of the major road and community.

Due to the development, passengers and motorists coming from Biu to Maiduguri have been forced to divert and pass through Darazau or Bakoka towns of Gombe state before reaching Potiskum to Damaturu.

The Katarko axis Naija News understands is no longer accessible at the reporting time.

Confirming the collapse of Katarko bridge, the Yobe State Executive Secretary SEMA, Dr Mohammed Goje told reporters on Tuesday that there are already flooding incidents in Mutai, Buni Yadi and Gulani communities which have become a major concern for the citizens.

Goje said the incident is a sad one as thousands of affected motorists and passengers would encounter hardship while reaching their destinations.

He said: “In the early hours of 30th August 2022, Yobe SEMA recieved sad news of Katarko Bridge being disconnected from the main road.

“This is the bridge and only road linking Damaturu to Gujba, Gulani and Biu local government areas.

“Already there are incidence of Flooding in Mutai, Buni Yadi and Gulani Communities which calls for major concerns especially in Mutai.

“Yobe SEMA has already reach out to the military to provide a barricade in Katarko as more civilians are trooping the scene to avoid civilian casualty.

“While this may affect immediate live saving support to communities already affected by Flood and or recovering from conflict, Yobe State Government is improvising alternative routes to reach to persons of concens as well as reconnect the affected communities,” Dr. Goje stated.

He explained further that the state government under Governor Mai Mala Buni is partnering with Save The Children International (SCI), a Non- Governmental Organization to support flood victims, as each household is to receive N33,000 monthly for the period of five (5) months.

Likewise, the SEMA Boss said, the victims are to be enrolled under the Yobe State Contributory Health Management Agency, YSCHMA to receive prescribed package of healthcare services for one year period.

Goje revealed that the gesture became necessary after a stakeholders meeting that his agency had with SCI in Damaturu, the state capital recently.

Naija News understands that the Katarko bridge collapse is coming barely a day after the only safer Maiduguri-Damaturu-Biu road and bridge near Buratai village also collapsed.

A pregnant woman reportedly died in the incident as a flood swept away three vehicles last Sunday.