No fewer than 100 persons have been killed by the flood that ravaged Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, while more than 100 others are still missing.
Also on Friday, no fewer than 44 of the dead persons were buried. Earlier in the week, 31 other recovered bodies were buried.
A downpour that lasted several hours on Wednesday night had resulted in the tragic incident after many homes were submerged by the flood which swept through the area.
Families have continued to search for their missing loved ones.
It was gathered that the death toll could be much higher, as many corpses, especially those of Almajirai (Qur’anic school pupils), could not be accounted for as of Friday.
But Niger State Deputy Governor, Mr Yakubu Garba, disclosed thst over 100 had been confirmed dead.
He stated this during a visit to Mokwa on Friday, adding that search and rescue operations were ongoing.
Garba said, “I have been briefed by officials from NEMA and NSEMA, who have been on ground since the incident occurred for search and rescue operations. 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.”
The deputy Governor, who addressed survivors at the Internally Displaced Persons camp, appealed to them to be patient as the state government was already working out modalities to provide relief materials to those affected.
He said the state government had taken delivery of relief materials from NEMA and had been handed over to the council chairman for onward distribution to the victims.
On her part, NEMA Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said officials of the agency were on the ground coordinating the search and rescue operations.
One of the victims, Anas Usman, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the flood killed 17 members of his family.
Usman said, “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.
“The flood submerged our house, causing the structure to collapse. We lost children, women and men, who are family members.”
It was learnt that over 40 corpses of the victims of the flood were buried on Friday, excluding those of the missing Almajirai.
Many corpses of the victims are said to be trapped in several collapsed buildings.
Looking downcast, a resident, Salihu Ishaq, revealed that his sister and her three children were swept away by the flood and their corpses had yet to be found.
While speaking on the scale of the disaster, he noted that the people of Mokwa had never seen such devastation.
Ishaq said, “This incident is tragic. We never imagined something like this would happen. Since I was born, I have never seen a flood of this magnitude. Many villages around Mokwa, including the town itself, have been affected.
“Today alone, we buried over 40 corpses. More than 100 people are still missing, and I fear many of them may be dead. My sister and her three children were swept away by the flood,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion.
“The flood washed away over 50 houses. We have buried over 70 people so far, and the search for more corpses continues. We don’t know the whereabouts of those still missing. Several communities around Mokwa were affected. Altogether, nearly 100 corpses have been buried since yesterday (Thursday).
“The people have lost everything. Many are now taking shelter with neighbours or in school buildings. The government must intervene urgently. This is too much for the victims to bear alone.”
50 buildings, occupants swept away – Agency
The DG of NSEMA, Baba-Arah, while speaking on the number of corpses recovered and those still missing, said the torrential rainfall that led to the flood lasted for hours.
He explained that surging waters submerged and swept away more than 50 residential buildings and their occupants.
Baba-Arah said, “NSEMA received a report of a deadly flood disaster that ravaged two communities, Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa, in Mokwa town, Mokwa LGA.
“In response, the agency, in collaboration with Mokwa local government He said, “This flood is beyond our imagination. We have never witnessed anything like this before. The people affected are the poorest of the poor, many with large families. Even Islamic scholars reside in the affected areas. The corpses of the almajirai haven’t been counted yet because we still don’t have a record of their number.
“We’re talking about a large number of people who died. This is not a small area where you can easily count the number of corpses. So far, I personally counted over 40 corpses buried today. Even today alone, we discovered more than five. There are still corpses trapped under collapsed buildings.
“So far, 21 corpses have been recovered, while over 10 persons are still missing.”
Reacting to the flood disaster on Thursday, the Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Mohammed Bago, Jonathan Vatsa, said the flood also destroyed the only road linking the North to the South-West, adding that the tragedy had plunged the entire state into mourning.
He stressed the need for urgent intervention from the Federal Government, saying the situation was beyond the capacity of the state government.
“We cannot ascertain the exact number of people who died. In fact, we are still waiting for a full report from the area before issuing a formal statement.
“You see, this is an act of God, a natural disaster. It is beyond human control or imagination. In the last 30 to 40 years, residents of Mokwa have never witnessed anything like this.
“It is unfortunate that when things like this happen, lives are lost. The state government and His Excellency are condoling with the families of the deceased, the paramount ruler of Mokwa, and the entire community. His heart and sympathy are with them. Don’t forget, this is his zone.
“As I speak to you, the report reaching us is that the Ilorin road has been cut off. That shows the scale of devastation caused by the flood. The Federal Government must intervene. This is far beyond what the state can handle.
“In fact, the Tatabu Bridge, our only link between the North and the South-West, has collapsed. That road is the only access route to the South-West from this axis. So, the entire state is in mourning, not just the people of Mokwa,” Vatsa said.
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.
Similarly, in 2022, the country experienced devastating floods that displaced about 1.3 million people and claimed over 600 lives.
Tinubu orders intensified rescue, relief efforts
Meanwhile, 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.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who said the President had been fully briefed on the disaster and was deeply concerned about the loss of lives and widespread damage.
“The immediate priority of the Federal Government is to save lives and provide urgent relief to survivors. The National Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Niger State Government, is working around the clock to ensure that no effort is spared in assisting those affected,” Idris stated.
The Federal Government also commended first responders and local volunteers for their swift actions in search-and-rescue efforts across the affected areas.
He added, “We urge residents in the affected communities to cooperate fully with emergency personnel and comply with all evacuation instructions.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and all those impacted by this tragedy. The Federal Government extends its deepest condolences to the victims’ families. In this time of sorrow, the nation stands united in grief and solidarity.”
