The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has confirmed death of 21 persons in a flood disaster involving two communities in the early hours of yesterday.
The affected settlements are Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa in Mokwa town of Mokwa Local Council.
The incident occurred during a heavy downpour that lasted several hours.
NSEMA, in a statement by its Director-General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, said the surging flood waters submerged and washed away over 50 homes with their occupants.
In response to the disaster, he said the agency, in collaboration with Mokwa council authorities, local divers and some volunteers, was conducting a search and rescue operation to save survivors and recover bodies.
According to him, three persons have been rescued, including a woman and her two children, who are receiving treatment at Mokwa General Hospital.
“NSEMA is in receipt of the report of a deadly flood disaster that ravaged two communities.
“Twenty-one corpses have so far been recovered of those who sadly lost their lives in the incident, while over 10 persons are still missing as the search and rescue operation is still ongoing,” he said.
The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has expressed shock at the development.
In a statement by Head, Press and Public Affairs, Nura Tanko Wakili, the agency said preliminary reports indicate that the flood swept away hundreds of properties and left several persons, including children, unaccounted for.
