Over 200 people have died and 500 remain missing after catastrophic flooding hit Mokwa, Niger State, officials confirm.
More than 200 people have died following devastating floods in the central Nigerian town of Mokwa, local officials confirmed on Sunday. At least 500 others remain missing after torrential rains swept through the Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa districts on Thursday.
Local official Musa Kimboku told the BBC that rescue efforts have ceased. “Authorities no longer believe anyone could still be found alive,” he said.
The floods, described as the worst in 60 years, left widespread destruction. “I watched helplessly as water washed away my family,” said Adamu Yusuf, who lost his wife and newborn. “I survived because I could swim.”
Another resident, Saliu Sulaiman, said he lost $1,500—proceeds from farm produce sold a day earlier.
Officials have not confirmed reports of a nearby dam burst. Relief efforts by Nema and the Nigerian Red Cross are underway.
Mokwa’s district head, Muhammadu Aliyu, said corpses will soon be exhumed to prevent disease outbreaks.