Nigeria: 21 killed, 10 missing in Niger flood disaster

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

A devastating flood disaster struck the town of Mokwa in Niger State, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 people and leaving 10 others missing. The flooding occurred in the early hours of Thursday, coinciding with the second-anniversary celebration of the state governor, Mohammed Bago.

The flood disaster was caused by a torrential rain of very high intensity that lasted several hours, resulting in the surging flood water submerging and washing away over 50 residential houses with their occupants. The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the disaster, stating that 21 corpses had been recovered while 10 people were still missing.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with the Mokwa Local Government authorities, divers, and volunteers, conducted a search and rescue operation to rescue survivors and recover corpses. Three survivors, a woman and her two children, are receiving treatment for wounds and shock at the Mokwa General Hospital.

The search and rescue operation is still ongoing, with efforts being made to locate the missing individuals and provide support to those affected by the disaster. The agency is working tirelessly to ensure that all necessary assistance is provided to those in need.

The flood disaster has resulted in widespread destruction of property, apart from the human casualties. The incident has left many families without homes and livelihoods, and the community is in need of support and assistance to recover from the devastating effects of the disaster.