Over 100 bodies recovered after devastating flood in Niger

Emergency responders have recovered more than 100 bodies following a deadly flood triggered by torrential rainfall in parts of Niger State.

This was confirmed on Friday by the spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Audu Husseini, who noted that the death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.

IDOMA VOICE reports that the flood, which struck late Wednesday, left many residents missing and homes submerged, particularly in and around Mokwa town in the Mokwa Local Government Area.

Speaking to AFP, Husseini said, “We have so far recovered 115 bodies, and more are expected to be found. The floodwaters came from a far distance and washed people into the River Niger. Downstream, bodies are still being recovered, so the toll keeps rising.”

He added that some of the victims were found under debris from collapsed buildings and that excavators would be needed to retrieve more bodies from the rubble.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has extended its condolences to the Niger State Government over the tragic incident. In a statement issued on Friday and signed by NGF Chairman, Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq, the forum expressed deep shock at the scale of the disaster.

The NGF pledged full support to the state government and the affected communities as they deal with the aftermath of the devastating flood.