Niger Flood Death Toll Rises to 111, Atiku Commiserates with Victims

Chuks Okocha in Abuja with agency report

At least 111 people were confirmed dead yesterday in the market town of Mokwa in Niger State following torrential rains, officials said.

Also, former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election, Atiku Abubukar, has commiserated with families and victims of the Mokwa flood that claims several lives and property.

In a statement, Atiku called on the federal emergency agencies for a proactive emergency response to such situations and provide relief to the victims.

The heavy rains lasted for several hours Thursday, which local government officials said a dam collapse in a nearby town had worsened the situation. The flooding displaced large amounts of people.

Rescuers continued to find more bodies into the afternoon Friday. Earlier reports said 88 people had died, but then at least 23 more bodies were found, Niger State emergency agency spokesman, IIbrahim Audu Husseinit, told The Associated Press in the afternoon.

That brought the toll to 111, but that could go higher as the search continued.

“More bodies have just been brought and are yet to be counted, but we have at least 111 confirmed already,” Husseini told AP by telephone.

Mokwa, about 220 kilometers (140 miles) west of Abuja, is a major meeting point where traders from the South buy food from growers in the North.

In a similar occurrence last September, torrential rains and a dam collapse in Nigeria’s northeastern Maiduguri caused severe flooding, leaving at least 30 people dead and displacing millions, worsening the humanitarian crisis caused by the Boko Haram insurgency.

Nigeria has a food security problem as water for crops is harder to find Nigeria often faces seasonal floods, particularly impacting communities such as Mokwa along the banks of the Niger and Benue Rivers. Communities in the far north of the country, which experience prolonged dry spells worsened by climate change, also see excessive rainfall that leads to severe flooding during their brief wet season.

In videos and photos shared on social media platforms, floodwaters cover neighbourhoods where homes are fully or partially submerged, with rooftops barely visible above the brown currents. Residents are also seen waist-deep in water, appearing to salvage what they can carry or rescue others.

The Chairman of Mokwa Local Government Area, Jibril Muregi, suggested that poor infrastructure worsened the impact of the flood. He appealed to the government to start “long overdue” construction of waterways in Mokwa under a climate resilience project.

Meanwhile,Atiku said, ”My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of adversely impacted by the tragic flooding that led to the loss of no less than 21 persons, several missing and thousands displaced in Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa communities in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.”

He said that media reports indicated that the extent of the destruction; homes, farmlands, schools, and vital infrastructure was dire.

Atiku said that the tragic situation in Mokwa serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive and proactive flood management strategies across the country, especially with the forecasts of more flooding in the rainy season, which is just beginning.

”I commend the efforts of emergency responders and urge both state and federal authorities to intensify relief efforts and implement sustainable solutions to prevent such tragedies in the future.

”I stand in solidarity with the people of Niger State, especially those mourning loved ones. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may those who are still missing be found and be reunited with their families,” Atiku stressed.

The federal government had already expressed profound sorrow over the devastating flood disaster that occurred in Mokwa, Niger State, which tragically claimed the lives of several persons.

The incident also led to the submergence of numerous homes and the displacement of hundreds of families.

In a statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government said its thoughts and prayers were with the bereaved families and all those affected by the tragic incident.