Over 150 killed in catastrophic flooding in African state (VIDEO)
The death toll from flooding in central Nigeria has reached 153, local authorities confirmed on Saturday, as search-and-rescue efforts continue.
The updated figures were provided by Ibrahim Hussaini, head of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), who said the disaster in the town of Mokwa followed heavy rains that began late Wednesday and lasted into Thursday.
Hussaini reported that at least 3,018 people had been displaced, with 503 households and 265 homes impacted. Three communities were completely washed away, he added.
In response to the disaster, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) convened a stakeholder meeting in Niger State on Friday.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has directed NEMA and national security forces to step up search-and-rescue operations in the affected zones. Alongside emergency response efforts, Tinubu has ordered the National Orientation Agency to intensify public awareness campaigns in flood-prone areas to improve preparedness and response for future disasters.
In April, the minister of water resources and sanitation, Joseph Utsev, identified 32 Nigerian states and the FCT as high flood-risk zones, warning that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of flooding. He highlighted coastal and riverine areas, including the states of Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers, as particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and tidal surges, which could affect fishing, wildlife, and navigation.
Mokwa, located in Niger State, serves as a vital trade corridor connecting agricultural producers in the north with traders in the south.
Nigeria is prone to flooding during its rainy season, which typically begins in April.
Last September, dozens of people were killed and others trapped after devastating floods swept through Nigeria's northeastern Borno State. Sirajo Garba, the northeast zonal coordinator for NEMA, said over 1,000 people had been rescued, and that more than 70,000 displaced persons were staying in seven camps.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Russia Today
Over 150 killed in catastrophic flooding in African state (VIDEO)
The death toll from flooding in central Nigeria has reached 153, local authorities confirmed on Saturday, as search-and-rescue efforts continue. The updated figures were provided by Ibrahim Hussaini, head of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), who said the disaster in the town of Mokwa followed heavy rains that began late Wednesday and lasted into Thursday. Hussaini reported that at least 3,018 people had been displaced, with 503 households and 265 homes impacted. Three communities were completely washed away, he added. In response to the disaster, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) convened a stakeholder meeting in Niger State on Friday. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has directed NEMA and national security forces to step up search-and-rescue operations in the affected zones. Alongside emergency response efforts, Tinubu has ordered the National Orientation Agency to intensify public awareness campaigns in flood-prone areas to improve preparedness and response for future disasters. In April, the minister of water resources and sanitation, Joseph Utsev, identified 32 Nigerian states and the FCT as high flood-risk zones, warning that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of flooding. He highlighted coastal and riverine areas, including the states of Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers, as particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and tidal surges, which could affect fishing, wildlife, and navigation. Mokwa, located in Niger State, serves as a vital trade corridor connecting agricultural producers in the north with traders in the south. Nigeria is prone to flooding during its rainy season, which typically begins in April. Last September, dozens of people were killed and others trapped after devastating floods swept through Nigeria's northeastern Borno State. Sirajo Garba, the northeast zonal coordinator for NEMA, said over 1,000 people had been rescued, and that more than 70,000 displaced persons were staying in seven camps.
Russia Today
6 days ago
- Russia Today
Heavy rains trigger fatal flooding in African country (VIDEO)
Twenty-one people have died after heavy rains caused flooding in Niger State, Nigeria. The severe weather occurred on Thursday, submerging around 50 houses in two communities, according to local emergency officials. Ibrahim Hussaini, head of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, stated that three people were rescued and are receiving medical assistance at the central hotel in the city of Mokwa. He added that 21 fatalities have been confirmed, and another ten people are still missing. The severe flooding hit the communities of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa in Mokwa, Niger State. According to the outlet 'Punch', Abullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said 'the agency, in collaboration with the Mokwa authorities, diverse and very brave volunteers conducted a search and rescue operation to rescue survivors and recover corpses.' 😭 At least 21 dead and at least 12 missing after overnight flooding in Mokwa, Nigeria, according to emergency services....🌊🌊 Preliminary reports indicate that the torrential rainfall in Mokwa swept away hundreds of structures and left several people, including children, unaccounted for. Nigeria is prone to flooding during its rainy season, which typically begins in April. Last September, dozens of people were killed and others trapped after devastating floods swept through Nigeria's northeastern Borno State. Sirajo Garba, the northeast zonal coordinator for the country's Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said that over 1,000 people had been rescued, and that more than 70,000 displaced persons were staying in seven camps. In 2022, Nigeria experienced one of its worst flooding disasters, leaving over 600 people killed and more than 1.4 million displaced, while 82,035 houses were damaged.
Russia Today
21-03-2025
- Russia Today
Lawmakers back emergency rule in oil-rich region of African state
Nigeria's parliament has approved President Bola Tinubu's state of emergency measures and the suspension of an opposition governor in oil-rich Rivers State, following a series of attacks that targeted crude oil pipelines. The West African nation's leader suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and local legislators elected in 2023 for a period of six months on Tuesday. He accused Fubara of failing to take action against 'disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militants.' Tinubu appointed a retired Navy chief as the administrator of the state, which is located in the restive Niger Delta. Prior to the move, the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, were reportedly locked in a power struggle for several months. Both are members of the opposition People's Democratic Party. In a national address on Tuesday evening, President Tinubu said River State had been at a 'standstill since the crisis started.' READ MORE: Oil giant quits onshore sector in Africa's largest economy The Nigerian Bar Association criticized Tinubu's decision – arguing that tensions in the Rivers State have not 'reached the level of a complete breakdown of law and order warranting the declaration of a state of emergency.' 'The power given to the President under Section 305 of the Constitution does not empower the President to suspend a Governor, Deputy Governor or other democratic organs of government,' the association said in a statement . Some opposition legislators had also threatened to block the emergency measures. However, on Thursday, both the House of Representatives and the Senate approved Tinubu's orders. READ MORE: The West's dirty secret: How most affluent nations poison the Global South The region, a crucial center for oil production and home to several major energy firms, including Nigerian LNG – Africa's largest liquefied natural gas facility – has long struggled with sabotage and vandalism, disrupting output and exports. An explosion was reported Tuesday in the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni area, following an earlier blast on the Trans Niger Delta Pipeline, in which Shell recently sold its shares to Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings. The British energy giant has been embroiled in longstanding legal disputes over environmental damage caused by decades of oil spills in Nigeria – claims it has consistently denied – blaming most of the leaks on illegal crude oil extraction.
