The Niger State Government has announced that more than 700 people remain missing following the recent flood disaster in Mokwa town, the headquarters of Mokwa Local Government Area. Governor Umaru Bago, represented by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, disclosed this figure on Tuesday while receiving a condolence delegation led by Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha.
Key Details of the Disaster
- Confirmed Deaths: 207 people have been confirmed dead as a result of the flooding.
- Displacement: Over 3,000 households have been displaced, with about 400 houses damaged and 283 homes and 50 shops completely destroyed.
- Victim Demographics: More than 50% of those affected by the May 29 flood are non-indigenes of the area.
Government Response and Relief Efforts
- National Disaster Declaration: Governor Bago described the incident as a national disaster and stated that the government is working with professional bodies to investigate the root cause of the flooding, with assessment reports still pending.
- Documentation and Aid: The government is documenting victims and collecting bank details to facilitate the disbursement of cash donations, with each affected family expected to receive no less than ₦1 million.
- Support for Host Families: Families hosting displaced victims will also receive support from the government.
Community and Institutional Support
- Condolence Delegation: Major Al-Mustapha led a group of sympathizers from across the country to express condolences and discuss preventive measures for future disasters.
- Relief Donations: Veritas University, Abuja, presented 150 mattresses, mosquito repellents, and other relief materials to the victims. The university noted that some of its students lost family members in the disaster.
This tragic event has highlighted the urgent need for effective disaster management and preventive measures to protect communities in flood-prone areas of Nigeria.
Tags
Metro
