Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has confirmed that the recent flooding in Mokwa Local Government Area has claimed 207 lives. This update marks a sharp increase from the previous death toll of 163 released by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Speaking through Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba during a condolence visit by a former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sani Abacha, Bago revealed that more than 700 individuals remain unaccounted for, while over 3,000 residents have been displaced.
“The devastation is overwhelming. So far, 207 fatalities have been recorded, more than 3,000 households have been displaced, and over 700 people are still missing,” the governor said.
The flood also inflicted widespread destruction, damaging 400 homes and completely destroying an additional 283 houses and 50 shops.
Governor Bago expressed appreciation for the support received from individuals and corporate entities, describing the disaster as a national emergency. He added that the government is collaborating with relevant professional bodies to investigate the root cause of the flooding.
He further noted that more than half of those affected by the disaster are non-indigenes, highlighting the national scale of the tragedy.
While receiving representatives from Veritas University who brought relief items, the governor reiterated that the disaster impacted people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, underlining its broader national implications.
During the visit, retired Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, who led the delegation, conveyed his condolences to the government and people of Niger State.
“We have come to express our sympathy over the tragic flooding in Mokwa, considering the magnitude of loss and its implications. We also plan to engage with traditional leaders in the area and pray for an end to such disasters,” he said.
Al-Mustapha mentioned that the visiting team included prominent figures from various regions of Nigeria, united in their mission to show solidarity and offer assistance to the affected communities.
