More than 100 hectares of farmland have been submerged in Jigawa State following an illegal diversion of water from a major irrigation canal, the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA) has disclosed.
The Managing Director of the authority, Suleiman Rabiu-Bichi, revealed the development during an unscheduled inspection of the affected site in Fatawali community, Miga Local Government Area.
According to him, some individuals unlawfully breached a section of the main canal to divert water to their farms, triggering extensive flooding that destroyed cultivated land and disrupted irrigation activities across the area.
“The illegal breach has resulted in serious losses to farmers and threatens irrigation operations within the basin,” Rabiu-Bichi said.
He noted that the diversion also affected water flow to the Hadejia Barrage Reservoir and other downstream users, raising concerns about broader impacts on water management and agricultural productivity.
The HJRBDA boss directed immediate repairs of the damaged canal section and ordered security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for the act.
Rabiu-Bichi described the incident as a major setback to ongoing efforts to improve irrigation efficiency and water distribution across the basin, recalling a similar breach recorded last year in Mashau village within the same local government area.
He, however, highlighted recent interventions by the authority, including desilting, canal rehabilitation, and the removal of invasive Typha grass, which he said have significantly improved water flow and system capacity.
“These efforts have enabled the conservation of about 11 million cubic metres of water and restored dry-season farming in previously affected areas,” he added.
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to protecting irrigation infrastructure and supporting agricultural production, warning that anyone found sabotaging public facilities would face legal consequences.
