Barely weeks after a deadly flood killed over 200 persons and left about 700 missing in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, another round of flooding has struck adjoining communities following an early morning downpour on Wednesday.
It was gathered that the fresh disaster affected several villages, including Jaagi, Rabba, Koshaba, Daffan, Kpautagi, Ezhi, and others.
Residents in these areas woke up to find their homes, roads, and farmlands submerged by floodwaters, triggering panic and further displacement.
In Jaagi, the situation was described as unprecedented, with widespread destruction of homes and properties.
SaharaReporters also learnt that a floodgate in the community had collapsed last month.
The affected residents have appealed to both the federal and state governments for urgent assistance, insisting that the scale of the damage is beyond what the communities can handle on their own.
When contacted by SaharaReporters, the acting Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Hussaini Ibrahim, confirmed the incident but said officials were still working to determine the extent of damage and possible casualties.
“I can’t ascertain the extent of casualties and damages for now as the rescue team is on their way to the community,” he said.
“But I can tell you there was a flash flood this morning.”
SaharaReporters earlier reported that over 700 people were still missing following the flooding that recently ravaged the Mokwa community in the state.
Governor Umaru Bago, represented by his deputy, Mr. Yakubu Garba, disclosed this on Tuesday while receiving Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha (Rtd.), former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha, who paid a condolence visit to the Government House in Minna.
“Over 700 persons are still missing and we are yet to ascertain where they are. The flooding has caused extensive damage,” Garba said, highlighting the scale of destruction caused by the disaster,” he said.
According to the state government, the floods have so far claimed 207 lives, displaced more than 3000 households, and left a trail of destruction with over 400 homes damaged.
Out of these, 283 houses and 50 shops were destroyed.
The governor described the situation as a national disaster, urging continued support from individuals, corporate organisations, and humanitarian agencies.
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