The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) in a statement by its Director General, Abdullahi Baba Arah has disclosed that no fewer than 21 people, including minors and women, lost their lives in Mokwa flood disaster .
The flood swept through Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa communities in Mokwa town, Niger State, in the early hours of Thursday.
The disaster, triggered by a heavy midnight downpour that lasted over five hours, submerged dozens of homes, forcing families to flee for their lives, according to a resident Yunusa
Arah stated that over 50 houses were washed away, leaving families homeless and entire communities in shock.
He noted that search and rescue operations were ongoing, with Mokwa Local Government Authority, local divers, and volunteers combing through the wreckage for survivors and bodies.
According to him, three people, a woman and her two children, have been rescued and are receiving treatment for injuries and trauma at the Mokwa General Hospital.
“NSEMA is in receipt of a report of a deadly flood disaster that ravaged two communities.
“Twenty-one corpses have so far been recovered of those who sadly lost their lives in the incident while over 10 persons are still missing as search and rescue operation is still ongoing,” he said.
The Chairman of Mokwa Local Government Area, Jibril Muregi, in a separate statement, expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and called on the relevant authorities to swiftly deploy emergency relief and humanitarian aid to the affected areas.
Muregi also stressed that the disaster had led to loss of lives, destruction of homes, and displacement of several residents.