More than 100 people have perished in the recent floods that devastated Mokwa and surrounding communities in Niger State, Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba revealed during a Friday visit to the hardest-hit areas.
Torrential rains on Wednesday night caused the Gurara River to overflow, inundating neighborhoods and sweeping away homes.
Initial reports cited 21 fatalities, but ongoing search efforts—coordinated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), and the Nigerian Red Cross—have since recovered over 100 bodies.
Villages such as Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa bore the brunt of the deluge, with dozens of houses destroyed and families displaced.
Addressing displaced residents at an IDP camp, Garba pledged that Governor Umaru Bago’s administration would deliver more relief supplies and develop long-term support programs.
He also cautioned residents against building on natural waterways, stressing the importance of preserving drainage routes.
NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar confirmed that food and non-food aid—rice, blankets, mats—had reached victims, but emphasized that search and rescue efforts remain critical.
Among the survivors is Anas Usman, who tragically lost 17 relatives when floodwaters obliterated his home. Emergency agencies continue to work tirelessly to assist survivors and prevent further loss of life.
