Niger Flood Disaster: Death Toll Rises to Over 100 as Rescue Efforts Continue

A devastating flood that swept through Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State has claimed over 100 lives, with more than 100 people still missing. The disaster occurred on Wednesday night during a torrential rainfall that lasted several hours, submerging homes and sweeping away everything in its path.

The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Mr. Yakubu Garba, confirmed the casualty figure during a visit to Mokwa on Friday. Garba said search and rescue operations were ongoing, with officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) working tirelessly to locate missing persons.

"I have been briefed by officials from NEMA and NSEMA, who have been on the ground since the incident occurred for search and rescue operations," Garba said. "I was told that over 100 people lost their lives and some have yet to be buried as search and rescue operations are still ongoing."

Victims' Accounts

One of the victims, Anas Usman, told the News Agency of Nigeria that 17 members of his household lost their lives to the disaster. "We were preparing to go to the farm in the morning when our house was suddenly submerged by floods; we did not know where the flood came from," Usman said.

Another resident, Salaf Ishaq, said his sister and her three children were swept away by the flood and their corpses had yet to be found. "This incident is tragic," Ishaq said. "We never imagined something like this would happen. Since I was born, I have never seen a flood of this magnitude."

Government Response

The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, said officials of the agency were on the ground coordinating search and rescue operations. The Niger State Government has also received materials from NEMA, which have been handed over to the council chairman for onward distribution to the victims.

President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Emergency Management Agency and security agencies to step up ongoing rescue and relief efforts in the affected areas. The President's directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

Impact on Infrastructure

The flood has also damaged critical infrastructure, including the Tatabu Bridge, which is the only link between the North and the South-West. The bridge's collapse has plunged the entire state into mourning, with the state government appealing for urgent intervention from the Federal Government.

Previous Flood Disasters

This is not the first time Niger State has experienced devastating floods. In 2022, the country experienced floods that displaced about 1.3 million people and claimed over 600 lives. Last year, some parts of northern Nigeria were hit by intense rainfall and flooding, leading to loss of lives, displacement of residents, and widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure.

As the search and rescue operations continue, the government and residents are calling for support and assistance to help the affected communities. The government has urged residents in the affected areas to cooperate fully with emergency personnel and comply with all evacuation instructions.