The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has reported that the death toll from the devastating flooding in Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA) has risen to 151. Ibrahim Hussaini, the agency’s spokesperson, provided this somber update on Saturday morning.

The torrential rains from Wednesday night have submerged three communities, including Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa in Mokwa LGA. In addition to the fatalities, 11 people have sustained injuries and over 3,018 residents have been displaced. The flooding has also impacted 265 houses and affected 503 households in the region.

This disaster strikes just five months after Niger Governor Umar Bago announced that the state secured a $10 million World Bank facility aimed at addressing gully erosion in various parts of Mokwa. Competent contractors were reportedly identified for the project.

In response to the crisis, President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and security agencies to ramp up rescue and relief operations for the affected communities.