At least 21 people have been confirmed dead and several others declared missing following a devastating midnight flood that struck Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The disaster, which occurred after torrential rainfall late Tuesday night, submerged over 50 houses and caught many residents off guard. The worst-hit areas were Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa in Mokwa town.
Local sources reported that the flood also trapped numerous vehicles, including commercial and private cars, as drivers and commuters struggled to navigate the rising waters. Rescue efforts were initially unavailable, compounding the chaos.
Among the deceased were a woman and her two children, while the injured are receiving treatment at Mokwa General Hospital.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency confirmed the incident in a statement:
“There was a torrential downpour of very high intensity that lasted several hours, and the surging floodwaters submerged and washed away over 50 residential houses with their occupants.”
Search and rescue operations involving local divers, volunteers, and the Mokwa Local Government Authority are ongoing.
So far, 21 bodies have been recovered, while the search continues for those still missing.
