25 dead, 10 missing as flood ravages Niger state communities

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) says 25 people have died, and more than 10 others are missing, following a flood in Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa communities in Mokwa LGA of the state.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Abdullahi Arah, NSEMA director-general, said the flood also submerged and washed away over 50 residential houses with their occupants.

Arah noted that the incident followed several hours of the torrential rainfall on Wednesday night.

He said operatives of the agency with support from the local government authority, local divers and volunteers rescued three persons (a woman and her two children).

Arah added that the search for more bodies is still ongoing.

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“NSEMA is in receipt of report of a deadly flood disaster that ravaged two communities of Tiffin maza and Anguwan hausawa in Mokwa town of Mokwa LGA,” the statement reads.

“The incidence occurred last night during a torrential downpour of very high intensity that lasted several hours, the surging flood water submerged and washed away over 50 residential houses with their occupants.

“In response the agency, in collaboration with Mokwa LG Authority, local divers and very brave volunteers are conducting search and rescue operation to rescue survivors and recover corpses.

“At present 3 survivors (a woman and her two children) are receiving treatment for wounds and shock at Mokwa general, 21 corpses have so far been recovered of those who sadly loss their lives in the incidence while over 10 persons are still missing as search and rescue operation is still ongoing.”