At least 117 people have died and many others are missing after severe flooding struck Niger State. The floods followed several hours of heavy rain that began Wednesday night and lasted into Thursday morning.
Mokwa, a commercial town in the north-central part of the state, was the worst affected. More than 3,000 houses were reportedly submerged, and many residents were swept into the River Niger. Earlier in the week, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency had issued a warning of heavy storms across Abuja and 14 other states, including Niger.
The death toll rose sharply from 21 reported on Thursday to at least 117 by Friday. Ibrahim Hussaini, Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said rescue teams are still recovering bodies downstream. He explained that the floodwaters originated from a distant location, making rescue operations more difficult.
Thousands of families have been displaced, and many homes destroyed. Mokwa, situated approximately 370 kilometres west of Abuja, is a major transportation hub where goods are frequently transported by heavy-duty vehicles.
This is not the first flooding incident in the state this year. In April, water released from a nearby dam flooded 30 communities and damaged more than 5,000 farms. According to local reports, this marks the sixth flood event in Niger State in 2024 alone.
Authorities say that efforts are ongoing to rescue more people. Emergency officials are also urging residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate as more rain is expected in the coming days.
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