A heavy downpour has rendered hundreds of people homeless in Jakusko town of Yobe State in northeast Nigeria.

The torrential rain, which has been persistent in the past few days, also destroyed farmlands and foodstuffs

Some of the residents, Lawan Jakusko and Usman Abba, said that no fewer than 200 houses were destroyed, rendering some of the inhabitants homeless.

They pleaded for urgent assistance from the government and other non-governmental organisations, calling for response to their crucial needs.

The Yobe State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajara Lawan, in a sympathy visit to the area described the situation as disastrous and pathetic.

She called on the government and other spirited individuals to respond immediately in helping the victims who were mostly peasants and in dare need of urgent intervention.

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has swiftly responded by commencing an assessment tour to the flood area, to appraise the level of the destruction with a view to alleviating their sufferings.

The acting Field Coordinator of NEMA in Yobe State, Nahuta Abubakar, assured the displaced persons that the agency would soon respond to their calls.

•Photo shows flooded community.