At least 21 people have been confirmed dead and many more reported missing after a powerful overnight flood struck Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, following hours of intense rainfall late Tuesday.
The flood, which swept through the communities of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa in Mokwa town, submerged around 50 residential houses, catching residents and travelers off guard.
The sudden deluge also trapped several vehicles, including commercial buses, private cars, and trucks.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as drivers and commuters struggled through rising waters, with no immediate rescue response available.
As of Wednesday, 21 bodies—among them a woman and her two children—had been recovered. Others remain unaccounted for.
Victims, including a woman and her two children, are receiving treatment for injuries and shock at Mokwa General Hospital.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency confirmed the incident, citing a torrential downpour of high intensity that led to widespread destruction. In a statement, the agency said:
“More than 50 homes were submerged and washed away by the floodwaters.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, involving local divers, volunteers, and officials from both the agency and the Mokwa Local Government Authority.”
Authorities continue to search for survivors and recover bodies, as the community grapples with the aftermath of the disaster.