Niger floods: Death toll hits 150, Tinubu activates emergency response

The devastating floods that swept through Niger State this week have claimed at least 150 lives, with rescue officials still uncovering more bodies in the aftermath of one of the deadliest natural disasters in the state’s history.

Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the updated death toll on Saturday, up from 115 reported earlier, as search teams recovered bodies swept nearly 10 kilometres from Mokwa, the epicentre of the flooding.

More than 3,000 residents have been displaced, over 250 homes destroyed, and two key bridges washed away, leaving communities cut off and in urgent need of assistance.

Reacting to the scale of the tragedy, President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate activation of the National Emergency Response Centre to coordinate relief and rescue efforts.

In a statement released overnight, the President expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and pledged full federal support for survivors and displaced persons.

“I assure all those impacted that your government stands with you,” Tinubu said. “Relief materials and temporary shelters are being deployed without delay, and all necessary agencies have been mobilised to assist.”

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NEMA officials described scenes of devastation, with homes flattened and corpses retrieved from the ruins. In one particularly tragic case, only four members of a 12-person family have been found alive.

“This is a grim reminder of the dangers of building along waterways and the importance of proper drainage,” NEMA stated, warning that more rain could further complicate recovery efforts.

Residents of Mokwa, now left homeless, described the destruction as total. “We don’t have anywhere to go again,” one resident said, staring at the remains of his home.

The President called on Nigerians to keep the affected communities in their thoughts and prayers, while urging local governments to take proactive steps in mitigating flood risks.

Security agencies have also been deployed to assist in the emergency response and maintain order in the affected areas.