Devastation swept through the communities of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa in Mokwa Local Government Area on Wednesday night, as a torrential downpour triggered a deadly flood that claimed the lives of no fewer than 20 residents.
The flooding, which followed hours of intense rainfall, washed away at least 50 residential compounds and rendered major roads impassable, effectively cutting off large sections of the affected communities.
According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), 33 individuals were reported to have been swept away by the rampaging waters.
While three were miraculously rescued, ten others remain missing as of press time.
Abdullahi Baba Arah, Director General of NSEMA, confirmed the incident, describing it as a “deadly flood disaster that ravaged two communities of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa in Mokwa town.”
He further stated that search and rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency teams combing through the debris in a race against time to locate survivors.
READ ALSO: Flood Sweeps Away Catholic Priest, Female Passenger, Bodies Recovered in Niger
Residents say the flood struck with little warning, leaving families scrambling for safety in the dead of night.
Authorities have yet to release the identities of the deceased, as efforts focus on rescue and relief operations.
Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns are growing, with many displaced residents in urgent need of shelter, food, and medical attention.
The state government has not yet issued an official statement on the disaster, but pressure is mounting for swift intervention to support the affected communities and prevent further tragedies, especially as the rainy season intensifies.
This latest incident adds to the growing toll of climate-related disasters in Nigeria, where poor drainage infrastructure and unregulated construction continue to expose vulnerable communities to life-threatening risks.