At least 21 people have been confirmed dead following a devastating flood disaster caused by a heavy downpour in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to a statement issued by Ibrahim Hussaini, the Acting Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the incident occurred on Wednesday night during a torrential rainstorm, leading to widespread destruction across the affected communities.
Hussaini revealed that three people—a woman and her two children—were rescued alive and are currently receiving treatment for injuries and shock at Mokwa General Hospital.
He confirmed that 21 bodies have been recovered so far, while more than 10 persons are still missing as search and rescue operations continue.
The affected areas include Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa communities in Mokwa town, where over 50 residential houses were submerged and washed away along with their occupants.
Hussaini added that NSEMA, in collaboration with the Mokwa Local Government, local divers, and volunteers, is conducting ongoing search and rescue efforts to find survivors and retrieve more bodies.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported on Thursday that several lives were feared lost and properties destroyed following the heavy rainstorm, which led to severe flooding in Mokwa.
The flood, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, wreaked havoc across the town, submerging homes, washing away farmlands, and leaving many residents stranded and in shock.
Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes as bodies were seen scattered across various parts of the community on Thursday morning.
Many families have been displaced, while others continue to search desperately for missing loved ones. The disaster has plunged the entire community into mourning, as residents call for urgent intervention and relief from the government and relevant authorities.
Stay tuned to Alayo Radio TV for more updates on this developing story.