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.
According to reports by local residents 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.
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.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said officials of the agency were on the ground coordinating the search and rescue operations.
One of the victims, Anas Usman, said that 17 members of his household lost their lives to the disaster.
“We were preparing to go to the farm in the morning when our house was suddenly submerged by floods; we did not know where the flood came from.
“The flood submerged our house, causing the structure to collapse. We lost children, women and men, who are family members,” he said.
40 corpses buried Friday
A classroom teacher in Mokwa, Alhassan Kolo, who spoke to reporters on the phone, said over 40 corpses were buried on Friday, excluding those of the almajirai.
He said, “This flood is beyond our imagination. We have never witnessed anything like this before. The people affected are the poorest of the poor, many with large families. Even Islamic scholars reside in the affected areas. The corpses of the almajirai haven’t been counted yet because we still don’t have a record of their number.“
“We’re talking about a large number of people who died. This is not a small area where you can easily count the number of corpses. So far, I personally counted over 40 corpses buried today. Even today alone, we discovered more than five. There are still corpses trapped under collapsed buildings.”
Looking downcast, a resident, Salihu Ishaq, revealed that his sister and her three children were swept away by the flood and their corpses had yet to be found.
While speaking on the scale of the disaster, he noted that the people of Mokwa had never seen such devastation.
Ishaq said, “This incident is tragic. We never imagined something like this would happen. Since I was born, I have never seen a flood of this magnitude. Many villages around Mokwa, including the town itself, have been affected.
“Today alone, we buried over 40 corpses. More than 100 people are still missing, and I fear many of them may be dead. My sister and her three children were swept away by the flood,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion.
“The flood washed away over 50 houses. We have buried over 70 people so far, and the search for more corpses continues. We don’t know the whereabouts of those still missing. Several communities around Mokwa were affected.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Emergency Management Agency and security agencies to step up ongoing rescue and relief efforts in the affected areas.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who said the President had been fully briefed on the disaster and was deeply concerned about the loss of lives and widespread damage.
“The immediate priority of the Federal Government is to save lives and provide urgent relief to survivors. The National Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Niger State Government, is working around the clock to ensure that no effort is spared in assisting those affected,” Idris stated.
The Federal Government also commended first responders and local volunteers for their swift actions in search-and-rescue efforts across the affected areas.
He added, “We urge residents in the affected communities to cooperate fully with emergency personnel and comply with all evacuation instructions.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and all those impacted by this tragedy. The Federal Government extends its deepest condolences to the victims’ families. In this time of sorrow, the nation stands united in grief and solidarity.”
NAN/Adebukola Aluko
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