25 dead, 10 missing as flood devastates Niger communities

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has confirmed that 25 people have lost their lives and more than 10 others are missing after a flood swept through the Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa communities in Mokwa Local Government Area.

In a statement released on Thursday, Abdullahi Arah, Director-General of NSEMA, reported that the flood—triggered by hours of intense rainfall on Wednesday night—submerged and carried away over 50 residential houses along with their occupants.

He said emergency response teams from the agency, assisted by the local government authority, divers, and volunteers, managed to rescue three people: a woman and her two children.

The search for additional victims is ongoing.

“NSEMA is in receipt of report of a deadly flood disaster that ravaged two communities of Tiffin maza and Anguwan hausawa in Mokwa town of Mokwa LGA,” the statement reads.

“The incidence occurred last night during a torrential downpour of very high intensity that lasted several hours, the surging flood water submerged and washed away over 50 residential houses with their occupants.

“In response the agency, in collaboration with Mokwa LG Authority, local divers and very brave volunteers are conducting search and rescue operation to rescue survivors and recover corpses.

“At present 3 survivors (a woman and her two children) are receiving treatment for wounds and shock at Mokwa general, 21 corpses have so far been recovered of those who sadly loss their lives in the incidence while over 10 persons are still missing as search and rescue operation is still ongoing.”