A massive flood destroyed the peaceful village of Mokwa in Niger State early Thursday, killing 21 people and leaving many more missing.
The devastating floods occurred on the second anniversary of the state governor, Mohammed Bago.
In addition to human casualties, the flood tragedy caused severe property damage.
Abullahi Baba-Arah, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the incident on Thursday, saying 21 dead had been discovered and 10 people were still missing.
“NSEMA is in receipt of a report of a deadly flood disaster that ravaged two communities of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa in Mokwa town of Mokwa LGA.
“The incident occurred last night during a torrential rain of very high intensity that lasted several hours; the surging floodwater submerged and washed away over 50 residential houses with their occupants.
“In response, the agency, in collaboration with the Mokwa LG authorities, divers and very brave volunteers conducted a search and rescue operation to rescue survivors and recover corpses.
“At present, three survivors (a woman and her two children) are receiving treatment for wounds and shock at the Mokwa General Hospital; 21 corpses have so far been recovered of those who sadly lost their lives in the incident, while over 10 persons are still missing,” Baba-Arah stated.
The DG also revealed that the search and rescue operation was still ongoing as of press time.
