Severe flooding struck two local government areas in Niger State in the early hours of Friday, leaving seven people missing and a trail of destruction in its wake.
The flood, triggered by torrential rainfall that lasted from 2 am to 12 pm, affected Sabon Pegi in Mashegu Local Government and Nasarawa in Magama Local Government.
The flood destroyed over 89 houses and three vehicles, and washed away hundreds of hectares of farmland.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba-Arab said search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate the missing individuals.
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In a statement released by the agency’s spokesperson, Hussaine Ibrahim, Baba-Arab detailed the extent of the disaster, confirming the devastating impact of the flood on the affected communities.
He said: “NSEMA has received reports of flood disasters in Mashegu and Magama LGAs. The flood was caused by torrential rainfall that lasted through the early hours of Friday, August 30.
“As of the time of filing this report, seven people have been declared missing, over 89 houses were affected, hundreds of hectares of farmlands, and three vehicles were washed away.”
Baba-Arab stated that the unfortunate flooding has severely impacted communities surrounding Sabon Pegi in Mashegu and Nasarawa in Magama.
He said this has prompted a concerted search and rescue effort by NSEMA staff, volunteers, and local riverine communities.
This latest incident contributes to the alarming surge in severe flooding events across Nigeria, exacerbated by intense rainfall and river overflows.
These disasters have resulted in widespread displacement, destruction of homes and infrastructure, and pressing humanitarian needs for shelter, food, and medical assistance, affecting thousands of individuals.
