A devastating flood that struck Niger State on Thursday has claimed at least 115 lives, according to official sources.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed the updated death toll to *Weekend Trust* on Friday. He reported that the flood destroyed over 300 houses.
The flood hit Mokwa, the headquarters of Mokwa Local Government Area, and initially killed about 20 people. However, Arah revealed that officials confirmed the higher casualty figure by 5 p.m. on Friday. He added that rescue teams were still searching for missing persons.
Residents of Mokwa described widespread grief and devastation. Many families mourn the loss of loved ones, and a heavy sense of despair hangs over the community.
Locals claim that the flood affected several travelers who had stopped in Mokwa for prayers or to rest overnight. Authorities have yet to identify many of the victims.
Witnesses say the flood completely wiped out several families. It submerged schools and places of worship, worsening the tragedy. Residents believe the death toll has continued to rise in the past 24 hours.
A resident, M.D. Mai Rubutu, said search teams recovered more bodies on Friday but could not confirm how many.
One woman, Kaka Dazana, lost all four of her children and narrowly survived. Another family reportedly lost 13 of its 15 members. A woman and her three children remain missing, with no sign of survival.
A large mosque that residents once considered a safe haven collapsed while filled with worshippers. Eyewitnesses reported that even those who sought safety on the rooftop did not survive.
Though authorities have yet to determine the total number of casualties, many believe the flood swept victims into the River Niger through the Rabba and Koshaba valleys.
