Niger flood: Death toll hits 151 as northern govs mourn

The number of casualties recorded in the devastating flood that ravaged the Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa communities in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State has risen to 151, with 3,018 persons displaced.

The flood, resulting from torrential rainfall, hit the communities on Wednesday night, submerging homes and claiming over 100 lives, according to the state Deputy Governor, Mr Yakubu Garba.

Sunday PUNCH reported that no fewer than 44 of the victims were interred on Friday, following the burial of 31 others recovered earlier in the week.

In a statement on Saturday, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency said the casualty figure had hit 151, as the flood affected three communities and washed away two bridges.

“The latest update from the Mokwa communities’ flood shows that 151 corpses have so far been recovered, while 11 persons were injured.

“Also, 3,018 persons have been displaced, while 503 households were affected and 265 homes washed away. Three communities in Mokwa LGA were also affected, while two roads and two bridges were damaged by the flood,” NSEMA Director General, Baba-Arah, said.

National tragedy – NGF

Condoling with the victims, the Northern Governors’ Forum, chaired by Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, expressed deep sorrow over the flood disaster, describing it as a national tragedy that demands urgent and coordinated action.

In a statement issued by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli, on behalf of the Northern Governors, Governor Yahaya described the scale of destruction as heartbreaking.

He urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts in bringing immediate relief and long-term recovery to the affected areas.

Yahaya praised the swift response of the Niger State Government under the leadership of Governor Mohammed Bago, as well as the efforts of emergency management agencies working tirelessly to provide humanitarian aid and restore order.

“This tragic event highlights the growing threat of climate-induced disasters and the urgent need for sustainable flood control and resilience strategies across Northern Nigeria,” the statement partly read.

Tinubu sends delegation

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dispatched a high-level delegation to Niger State in response to the disturbing incident.

Leading the delegation were the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Prof Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.

The team paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, to deliver the President’s message of condolence and solidarity.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Information Minister’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim.

Speaking during the visit, Idris conveyed the President’s deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating that Tinubu had ordered the immediate deployment of federal resources to support the relief effort.

“We are here on the directive of Mr President, Bola Tinubu, to come and see the people of Niger State, particularly the Governor and officials of the state government, to commiserate with you; to sympathise and empathise with you on what has happened in Mokwa Local Government Area.

“Mr President is personally saddened by this, and yesterday he directed that every available resource of the Federal Government should be deployed to Mokwa. That’s why you are seeing me in the company of my brother, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs,” Idris said.

NEMA conducts assessment

The National Emergency Management Agency has already conducted an assessment of the disaster and mobilised to deliver immediate support.

According to the statement, Idris confirmed that NEMA is working with state authorities to ensure victims are cared for, bodies recovered, and aid delivered efficiently.

In addition to the emergency response, the President has tasked the National Orientation Agency with ramping up public sensitisation campaigns, especially in flood-prone communities, to enhance disaster preparedness and response in future incidents.

“This is also a call to our people to take this as a warning against future occurrences, especially all those living around the areas where this kind of disaster is prone to happen,” he stated.

In his remarks, Yilwatda added that the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons would now take over from NEMA to provide continued assistance to displaced individuals.

The Deputy Governor expressed appreciation for the Federal Government’s rapid intervention and underscored the severity of the disaster.

Nasarawa govt orders relocation

In the meantime, the Nasarawa State Government has directed residents of flood-prone communities to relocate to higher ground to avoid any loss of lives during the rainy season.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Margaret Elayo, said this in Lafia, the state capital, on Saturday while addressing newsmen after monitoring the May edition of the monthly clean-up exercise.

He said that such a step had become imperative because of flooding predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, as well as previous experiences where lives and property were lost to flooding.

She further said that since some states had already started experiencing flooding, there was an urgent need for vulnerable persons to act now.

“We are partnering with the chairmen of Local Government Areas and traditional rulers to show those affected by this relocation directive where they should go now for their safety.

“They should pick up their valuables and leave their houses for now so that when flooding eventually happens, no lives will be lost,” Elayo said.

The commissioner further urged members of the public to desist from dumping refuse in drains and from building structures on waterways to avert flooding.

She promised to strengthen the campaigns toward enlightening the public on the importance of clearing waterways to prevent flooding.

Elayo described as unacceptable the situation where large refuse are dumped on the streets, and advised those behind it to desist or risk being sanctioned.

The commissioner expressed dissatisfaction with the level of residents’ compliance with the sanitation exercise and appealed for greater cooperation

“If the environment is kept clean, it will guard against the possible outbreak of some diseases, thereby ensuring improved, healthy living for the people,” she said.

The commissioner, therefore, promised that the ministry would make the state one of the cleanest in the country.