Niger flood: Over 100 dead, 75 buried, 100 missing

File: Nigerian flood

The devastating flood that swept through Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State has claimed over 100 lives, with more than 100 persons still missing as of Friday.

No fewer than 44 of the victims were interred on Friday, following the burial of 31 others recovered earlier in the week.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night during a torrential rainfall that lasted several hours.

The surging floodwaters submerged homes and swept away everything in its path

As search and rescue operations continue with more people still at risk, distraught families have mounted intense search for their missing loved ones.

Local residents told Saturday PUNCH that the death toll was likely much higher, revealing that many corpses, especially those of Almajirai (Qur’anic school pupils), had yet to be accounted for.

Over 100 dead

The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Mr Yakubu Garba, said over 100 had been confirmed dead.

Garba disclosed the casualty figure during a visit to Mokwa on Friday, adding that search and rescue operations were ongoing.

He 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.”

Garba, while addressing survivors at the Internally Displaced Persons camp, urged them to exercise patience as the state government was working out modalities to provide relief materials to those affected.

He said the state government had received materials from NEMA, which had been handed over to the council chairman for onward distribution to the victims.