Category: Daily Trust

The Edo State Police Command has arrested three bouncers and a pepper spray vendor in connection with the incident that led to the collapse of several students during the Children’s Day celebration at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

The command also confirmed the arrest of a police officer accused of unlawfully discharging tear gas at Ogida on May 25, resulting in the death of one person.

Several students reportedly collapsed on May 27 after pepper spray was discharged by bouncers attempting to control a crowd during the Children’s Day event.

In a statement, Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, said the arrests followed investigations into the incident.

The suspects were identified as Ifeanyi John Paul, 36; Ola Ibikunle, 46; Onoha Chukwuoji, 33; and Rebecca Hassan, alleged supplier of the pepper spray used at the event.

Police said the unlawful use of the spray caused panic and affected several children and other participants.

Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, warned against the misuse of such devices, stressing that they can cause serious injuries and, in some cases, death.

He directed individuals and groups in possession of unauthorised security equipment to surrender them immediately or face arrest and prosecution.

Borno State recorded 274 new suspected cholera cases within 24 hours, according to the Manager of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, Dr. Jacob Audu Thliza.

Dr. Thliza disclosed this while presenting the state’s Cholera Epidemiological Summary covering the period from May 1 to June 2 during a stakeholders’ meeting in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

The meeting, which focused on preventive measures and the management of acute watery diarrhoea and cholera, brought together stakeholders from the 27 local government areas of the state.

According to Dr. Thliza, a total of 4,204 suspected cholera cases have been recorded at Cholera Treatment Centres (CTCs) and Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs) across the state.

A breakdown of the cases showed that Jere Local Government Area recorded 1,214 cases; Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), 2,404; Konduga, 275; Mafa, 184; Monguno, 90; Kaga, 18; Bama, 8; Kwaya Kusar, 8; Ngala, 2; and Magumeri, 1.

He added that 39 deaths had been recorded, while 2,664 patients had been discharged. The outbreak has affected 118 settlements across 21 communities.

Speaking at the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Borno State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr. Shettima Maina Mohammed, said the disease’s case fatality rate had declined to below one per cent.

‘The case fatality rate is now less than one per cent. This is due to the aggressive response in treating active cases in affected communities, as well as sustained health promotion and awareness campaigns,’ he said.

Dr. Mohammed added that the ministry had deployed health workers, ad hoc committees, and volunteers to affected communities. He said preventive materials, including soap, disinfectants, and chlorine, had also been distributed to curb the spread of the disease to other areas.

The disposal of empty shipping containers by foreign shipping lines operating in Nigeria has come under fresh scrutiny following claims that the practice may have deprived the Federal Government of more than $600 million in customs revenue over the years.

A maritime trade consultant, Mr. Okey Ibeke, therefore called on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to investigate the sale of containers imported under temporary admission arrangements, warning that widespread non-compliance with customs procedures could be resulting in significant revenue leakages.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Ibeke cited reports that one of the leading shipping Agencies plans to sell more than 2,500 empty containers located in the country.

According to him, the containers are reportedly being offered at prices ranging between $1,600 and $2,000 per unit, with payments to be made in U.S. dollars through domiciliary accounts.

He argued that the proposed transaction raises questions about compliance with customs regulations governing temporary imports and the Federal Government’s efforts to curb the dollarisation of domestic transactions.

‘Under Nigeria’s temporary importation regime, shipping containers enter the country duty-free on the condition that they will be re-exported after use. Before they can be legally sold within Nigeria, the containers must be converted to permanent import status through a process that includes customs valuation and payment of applicable duties, taxes and levies.

‘Any sale conducted without completing these procedures could amount to a breach of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and result in the loss of government revenue,’ he said.

He estimated that the Federal Government stands to lose between $350 and $400 in duties and taxes on every container sold without proper customs conversion, adding that based on the reported sale of 2,500 containers, potential revenue losses could approach $1 million from a single transaction.

The trade expert, however, described the issue as an industry-wide challenge rather than an isolated case involving one operator.

‘Nigeria’s persistent trade imbalance, characterised by high import volumes and relatively low containerised exports, has led to the accumulation of thousands of empty containers at ports and inland locations across the country.

‘With shipping lines facing high costs to reposition empty containers back to Asia and Europe, many are reportedly disposed of locally’ he said.

Ibeke estimated that as many as 250,000 containers may have been sold or converted for local use over the past three decades. Using an average value of $1,500 per container, he said the cumulative loss of customs duties and value-added tax could exceed $375 million, while broader estimates put the figure at more than $600 million when penalties and related charges are considered.

Beyond the revenue implications, he expressed concern over the reported practice of invoicing container sales in U.S. dollars, warning that it could undermine efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria to strengthen the naira and reduce pressure on foreign exchange demand.

He urged the Comptroller-General of Customs to suspend ongoing sales of temporary import containers pending investigation and to conduct a comprehensive audit of shipping lines and agents that have handled such containers over the years.

The consultant also called for the reconciliation of port exit records with customs import data to determine the number of containers that were re-exported, formally converted to permanent import status or disposed of without regulatory approval.

He further urged the government to recover any outstanding duties, taxes, levies and penalties arising from identified violations and to sanction operators found to have breached customs regulations.

According to him, addressing the issue would not only boost government revenue but also strengthen regulatory compliance, enhance transparency in the maritime sector and support broader economic reform efforts aimed at improving Nigeria’s fiscal position.

The member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency and Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has secured the Labour Party (LP) ticket for the 2027 House of Representatives election after polling more than 52,000 votes in the party’s direct primaries across the Enone constituency in Benue State.

Agbese emerged unopposed in the exercise conducted across the 35 council wards of Ado, Okpokwu, and Ogbadibo Local Government Areas, with party faithful turning out in large numbers to affirm his candidacy.

The federal lawmaker had defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Labour Party in February 2026 on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Announcing the results, the party’s National Returning Officer for Benue State, Dr. Aminu Atonu, described the primary election as peaceful, transparent, and credible.

Atonu also disclosed that Dr. Samuel Onuh was returned unopposed as the Labour Party’s candidate for the Benue South Senatorial District, while philanthropist Dr. Mathias Byuan emerged as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 general election.

Speaking shortly after his affirmation, Agbese thanked constituents for what he described as an overwhelming demonstration of confidence in his leadership.

He noted that despite the rainfall, thousands of supporters trooped out across the constituency to reaffirm the mandate they gave him in 2023.

He said the massive turnout indicated the growing acceptance of the Labour Party in the constituency and validated his decision to move from the APC to the LP.

Two persons were reportedly killed following a clash between security operatives and masquerades in Uhucheba community, Ogaminana, in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State during the ongoing Echane Festival.

Sources in the community said the violence erupted on Sunday after some security personnel were allegedly assaulted by masquerades at Inorere, Ogaminana, while festival activities were underway.

The incident reportedly triggered a confrontation after the affected operatives allegedly mobilised their colleagues and returned to the community. Witnesses claimed that sporadic gunshots were fired during the ensuing chaos.

Efforts by the Adavi Peace Committee and the local cultural union to de-escalate tensions and pacify the aggrieved security personnel were reportedly unsuccessful.

A resident, Lawal, alleged that the crisis began after a soldier was attacked by masquerades participating in the festival.

‘It was alleged that the masquerades beat a soldier in the community. The news of the assault spread to other operatives in the area, leading to their intervention,’ he said.

According to him, the indiscriminate shooting that followed resulted in casualties among residents.

‘One young man identified as Omeiza was hit by a stray bullet and was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital. He was a popular POS operator in the Uhucheba community.

‘Another victim was reportedly struck by a stray bullet while at his residence and also died from the injury,’ he added.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government has announced the immediate suspension of the Echane Festival across Ebiraland.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the state government said the decision was based on credible intelligence indicating that activities associated with the festival could threaten public peace, safety and security in parts of Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The statement, signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the government recognised the cultural significance of traditional festivals but stressed that the protection of lives and property remained its foremost responsibility.

‘Consequently, His Excellency, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has directed that the Echane Festival be suspended with immediate effect in the interest of peace and public safety,’ the statement said.

The governor also directed all security agencies in the state to ensure strict compliance with the directive. The government further called on traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and residents of affected communities to cooperate with security agencies and support efforts aimed at maintaining peace and stability across the state.

Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Kogi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, did not respond to calls or text messages as of the time of filing this report.

Nigerian sprint hurdler, Tobi Amusan, delivered a commanding performance on Sunday to secure her first Diamond League victory of the 2026 season, winning the women’s 100m hurdles at the Meeting International Mohammed VI in Rabat.

The 29-year-old world record holder crossed the finish line in 12.28 seconds, equalling her season’s best and setting a new meeting record.

The time eclipsed the previous record of 12.45 seconds, which Amusan had established at the same venue in 2025.

Competing with a legal tailwind of +1.2 m/s, Amusan dominated a highly competitive field. Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton finished second in 12.40 seconds, while the Netherlands’ Nadine Visser placed third in 12.47 seconds.

The victory marks a significant milestone in Amusan’s 2026 Diamond League campaign.

She began the season with a third-place finish in Shanghai in 12.41 seconds before recording 12.28 seconds to finish second in Xiamen.

Her triumph in Rabat earns her maximum points on the Diamond League circuit and strengthens her status as one of the leading contenders for major international championships later this year.

Amusan, a three-time Diamond League champion, won the overall title in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Her latest performance suggests a return to peak form after an encouraging start to the outdoor season.

Cholera outbreak has killed more than 40 people and infected over 3,000 in 139 communities across seven local government areas of Borno State, Daily Trust gathered.

This, according to government estimates, was recorded in Maiduguri, Jere, Mafa, Konduga, Monguno, Ngala and Magumeri, between 1st to 28th of May, 2026.

However, families of the cholera patients interviewed by Daily Trust argued that the figure may be higher, saying a reasonable number of patients are still dying at home.

On Saturday, May 30th, the Borno State government revealed that cholera had killed 37 and infected over 3,000 people.

This came barely three days after an official epidemiological summary stated that 27 people died and 2,715 were infected from May 1st to 27th, 2026.

Therefore, officially, the number of deaths rose by ten with over 285 new infections within a three-day period.

According to the data, the most alarming spikes are in the Maiduguri metropolis, which accounts for more than half of the total burden.

Our correspondent, who went round the cholera hot spots and treatment centres within Maiduguri and Jere, reports that the facilities were overwhelmed by patients.

At the Brig-Gen Abba Kyari General Hospital, Ngaranam, the influx of patients was so much that tens of patients were being treated on bare floor, Daily Trust gathered.

The correspondent observed that most of the trampoline treatment tents, crucial for isolating the patients to stop the spread of the disease, were filled with women and little children.

‘He vomited twice and started having diarrhoea. We took him to a chemist, but the nurse advised that we should come to Nganaram isolation centre. He is now under treatment,’ a patient’s relative, Modu Sheriff said.

Patients’ relatives were seen holding drips for rapid rehydration of their loved ones, who are mostly aged women and underaged children that were lying on bare floor.

Health workers were also seen administering emergency procedures on patients with severe cases.

‘We don’t have the actual number of patients, but on an average, from morning to this time (12:30) we received over 40 cases today. You can see how the facility is overstretched,’ said a health worker who does not want to be named.

He said the outbreak this year has been severe considering the influx of patients so far.

‘Nearly eight Borno LGAs have reported cholera cases, with the vast majority concentrated here in Maiduguri and Jere,’ he said.

When contacted, the MSF sub-delegation office, Maiduguri, which is responding to the emergencies at the Cholera Treatment Centre, declined comment and asked the correspondent to officially write via e-mail before an update can be provided.

When Daily Trust visited the cholera-endemic areas at Shehuri Budum, Limanti, Shokari and Gamboru in Maiduguri and Jere area councils, residents said many people died before they could be taken to the hospital.

A resident who lost his mother to cholera at Shokari area, in Mashamari ward, Malam Abubakar Makah, said the diseases has so far killed two persons and infected seven within the community.

‘She started vomiting, then came diarrhoea. Before we could do anything, she gave up. As I’m talking to you, a child has died while six of our neighbors are already infected.

‘We know what happened here some years back; that’s why everyone is afraid. We pray that such calamity should not be repeated. Many people died,’ he said.

Modu Ngudo, a senior nurse living in the community, who usually administers first aid before taking patients to the treatment centre, complained that some of the patients don’t go to hospital.

‘I have had to force some of them to take their children to hospital. Six cases were reported to me. One of them, an elderly woman died.

‘What is disturbing is that some people still have this fear about going to hospital. There was a particular man that came to me for help. I was able to stabilise his child after which I asked him to take him to the hospital but he refused.

‘Sometimes I threaten them that I will stop responding to their calls; that is when they agree to take their relatives to the CTC Nganaram,’ he said.

He also revealed that the cases are worse where people live in conditions that favour transmission of the disease.

‘There are areas where the community is fetching water from the reservoir (Mother Cat Dam), once the water is contaminated, the disease will continue spreading,’ he said.

He also observed that open defecation is another factor that can trigger cholera outbreak in some communities.

‘No matter the effort of government to stop open defecation, some people will do it, and it’s affecting our health,’ he said.

Many residents in those places usually rely on reservoir water, which is often contaminated, it was further gathered.

A medical doctor, Tijjani Ammani, said cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae. It is characterised by profuse watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and severe dehydration, which may present as intense thirst, dry mouth, sunken eyes, weakness, and muscle cramps. If untreated, the condition can rapidly progress to shock and death.

He said the disease is acquired mainly through the consumption of food or water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person, adding that drinking untreated water and eating food prepared under unhygienic conditions are common sources of infection. Poor sanitation, overcrowding, and inadequate waste disposal facilitate its spread, he said.

Ammani added that the prevention of cholera depends on good hygiene and sanitation.

‘Drinking safe water, regular hand washing with soap, proper disposal of human waste, and thorough cooking of food significantly reduce the risk of infection’, he added.

Actions taken by govt

The state government has issued a health advisory in Maiduguri, warning residents to maintain clean environments.

The Executive Secretary of the Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, Dr Saleh Abba-Kaza, urged residents to take preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease.

According to him, the outbreak was first reported on May 1 and subsequently confirmed on May 4, with cases continuing to rise across affected communities.

He said, on Saturday, more than 100 new cases were recorded within 24 hours, while Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) remained the epicentre of the outbreak with over 2,000 reported cases.

‘Jere Local Government Area has recorded over 1,000 cases, while Mafa, Konduga, Monguno, Ngala and Magumeri LGAs have also been affected,’ he said.

The government has also posted ambulance drivers and paramedics to nine locations within the state capital to convey patients in emergency situations to treatment centres.

The locations include: Gwange Grave Yard Junction; State House of Assembly Shehuri CPP Palace; Polo High Court; Flour Mill Junction; Kwanan Yobe Junction; Lamisula Police Station Junction; Mashidimami opposite Bakasi Estate Junction and Ngomari Airport Bus Stop(Lawan Jidda)

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has also directed the procurement and distribution of drugs, medical consumables, and hygiene materials worth millions of Naira to health facilities in parts of the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr. Shettima Maina Mohammed, disclosed this during the presentation of medical supplies to healthcare facilities treating affected patients on Sunday.

According to Dr. Mohammed, the drugs and consumables were procured by the state government and supplied to designated treatment centres to ensure that patients receive care free of charge.

The permanent secretary commended the governor for the timely release of funds for the procurement of the medical supplies.

As part of efforts to curb the spread of the disease, the team comprising government officials and medical personnel embarked on campaigns across communities in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere Local Government Area.

The delegation paid an advocacy visit to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, to seek the support of the traditional institution in mobilising communities and promoting awareness on disease prevention.

The permanent secretary, Dr. Mohammed, urged traditional and community leaders to intensify public enlightenment efforts to encourage residents to maintain good hygiene practices and to seek medical attention when symptoms arise promptly.

Responding, the Shehu of Borno commended Governor Zulum for his intervention in addressing the outbreak and pledged the traditional institution’s support in controlling the disease.

The team also visited Old Maiduguri, Gamboru, and Shehuri South communities, where residents were educated on preventive measures, including proper sanitation and hygiene practices.

Drugs, consumables, personal protective equipment, and assorted hygiene commodities were delivered to the Emergency and Infectious Disease Hospital in Njimtilo and the Nganaram Infectious Disease Camp, where patients are currently receiving treatment.

Similarly, as part of the intervention, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) materials, including chlorine tablets, liquid chlorine, disinfectants, knapsack sprayers, and community education tools, were distributed to affected communities to strengthen prevention and response efforts.

The permanent secretary was accompanied by directors and principal officers from the Ministry of Health and Human Services, the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Board, the state Contributory Health Management Agency (BOSCHMA) and SEMSAS.

Two suspected motorcycle thieves were burnt to death by a mob in Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State following allegations of involvement in criminal activities in the area.

A resident of Langtang South, Banda Nanlir, said the two suspects were apprehended by angry residents who accused them of involvement in motorcycle theft within the community.

Banda alleged that the suspects confessed to the crime.

He said angry residents later descended on the suspects and set them ablaze before security operatives could intervene.

He described the scene as chaotic, saying the suspects were overpowered by the crowd.

Another resident, John Musa, also said the development had caused fear among locals, while others insisted the suspects had long been accused of motorcycle theft in the area.

Meanwhile, efforts to get the reaction of the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to him had not been responded to as of press time.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday accepted responsibility for the recurring sight of cattle on Abuja’s major roads, acknowledging public concerns over the issue and promising corrective action.

Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike expressed regret over the development and assured residents that the administration remains committed to addressing it.

‘I apologise that up till now, cows are still roaming the streets of Abuja. I take responsibility,’ the minister said.

He also highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects across the territory, noting that development initiatives are being extended beyond the city centre to communities in the satellite towns.

According to him, the projects cover several sectors, including road construction, water supply and housing for public officials. ‘Our attention is not only on developing Abuja’s city centre. We are also working in all the area councils,’ he said.

Wike further disclosed that a series of project inaugurations would be carried out in collaboration with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of activities marking the administration’s third year in office. He maintained that the road projects executed across the FCT have contributed to improving access and strengthening security in several communities.

No fewer than 400 houses, schools, health facilities, places of worship and other public infrastructure have been destroyed by devastating windstorms and rainstorms that swept through communities in Zamfara, Sokoto and Plateau states, leaving hundreds of families displaced and several others injured.

The disasters, which occurred on Saturday and Sunday following heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds, have triggered fresh concerns over the growing impact of extreme weather conditions across parts of northern Nigeria.

Affected residents appealed to federal and state governments and other humanitarian organisations to provide emergency relief materials and support to enable displaced families to rebuild their lives.

The worst-hit community was Bela village in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where more than 200 houses were destroyed by a violent windstorm that lasted for over an hour on Saturday.

One of the victims, Malam Barau, described the incident as the worst disaster the community had ever experienced.

He said the storm was accompanied by heavy rainfall and large hailstones that blanketed the village before powerful winds uprooted trees and destroyed houses.

‘The destruction is unimaginable. More than 200 houses, representing about one-third of the village, were affected. Trees were uprooted as if they were small plants,’ he said.

Barau disclosed that one child was killed, more than 20 people sustained injuries, and at least seven livestock were also lost during the disaster.

Another resident, Abdullahi Suleiman Bela, said many of the victims were widows, orphans and newly married couples who lost virtually everything they owned.

He added that several victims were now taking shelter in makeshift structures built with guinea-corn stalks, while others had been forced to crowd into single rooms with multiple families.

The storm also affected Rugar Kaya, Anguwar Marafa, Sabon Gari Bela, the old cemetery area and the palace of the district head of Rugar Kaya.

The member representing Maru/Bungudu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdulmalik Zubairu, confirmed the incident on his Facebook page and expressed sympathy for the affected victims.

The Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA), Ambassador Bala Gusau, directed the agency’s Director of Disaster Management, Hassan Dauran, to respond to the situation.

Dauran confirmed that more than 200 houses were destroyed by the windstorm and disclosed that officials of the agency were preparing to visit the affected village alongside the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which is expected to arrive for a joint assessment and evaluation of the damage.

‘Actually, we have received reports of the windstorm that destroyed more than 200 houses, and we have forwarded the information to NEMA. We are awaiting their arrival for a joint assessment of the affected community,’ Dauran said.

In Sokoto State, a powerful windstorm wreaked havoc across Gada Local Government Area, destroying hundreds of houses and public infrastructure and displacing many residents.

A local government official said preliminary assessments showed that more than 100 houses were severely affected in Gada town alone, with many buildings losing their roofs while others suffered partial or complete collapse.

The storm, which occurred on Sunday night, also damaged schools, business premises, places of worship and other community assets across several towns and villages within the local government area.

Residents also lost food supplies, household property, personal belongings, and sources of livelihood as a result of the disaster.

The official noted that the total number of affected households could run into several hundreds as reports continued to emerge from different communities.

Member representing Gada-Goronyo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Bashir Gorau, confirmed the incident and called for urgent intervention by government agencies and humanitarian organisations.

He urged the Sokoto State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and other stakeholders to respond swiftly to the needs of the victims.

Similarly, the Director of Relief and Rehabilitation at the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Mustapha Umar, said officials would soon conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the affected communities.

In Plateau State, more than 100 houses were also destroyed and scores of residents displaced after a rainstorm swept through Tom Gangare community in Sopp Ward of Riyom Local Government Area.

The storm, which occurred on Sunday following a heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds, damaged health facilities, places of worship and other critical infrastructure.

A resident, Bot Felix, said property worth millions of naira was destroyed during the incident, while many affected residents were rendered homeless.

He said the windstorm uprooted several trees, many of which fell on residential buildings, worsening the destruction across the community.

A community stakeholder, Dung Danboyi, described the incident as tragic and appealed for urgent intervention from the government and humanitarian agencies.

He said that although no life was lost, the destruction had left many households without shelter and exposed victims to severe hardship.

Danboyi called on the Plateau State Government and other relevant agencies to provide immediate relief materials and support for affected residents.

Also speaking, the Councillor representing Sopp ward, Gwong Ibrahim, urged relevant authorities to intervene urgently to cushion the impact of the disaster on victims.

He stressed the need for emergency relief assistance, noting that many affected families were struggling to secure temporary shelter and other basic necessities.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Riyom Local Government Council, Sati Bature Shuwa, visited the community to assess the extent of the damage and sympathise with the victims.

Addressing residents, Shuwa assured them that efforts would be made to facilitate assistance and support for those affected by the disaster.

He disclosed that a comprehensive assessment would be conducted to determine the extent of the losses and enable appropriate intervention by government and emergency management agencies.