Mokwa residents have blamed last Thursday’s disastrous flood that has so far claimed over 152 lives, to a possible collapse of one of the dams in Niger State, which they said officials may not be aware of.

Niger State has three major dams – Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro, while a fourth is under construction.

The residents attributed the deadly flood to “a bigger problem upstream, alleging that a dam may have collapsed without the knowledge of officials.

This is as the death toll of the floods disaster in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, North Central State of Nigeria’s has risen to 152, according the Niger State Emergency management Agency (NSEMA).

The agency stated further that at least 3,018 people have been displaced, with 265 houses destroyed and two bridges washed away in the floods.

Spokesperson of NSEMA, Ibrahim Audu Hussaine, confirmed that the flood, which was triggered by heavy rains have caused serious and devastating havoc in Mokwa, killing at least 150 people and displacing thousands since Thursday, adding that rescue workers say the toll could rise.

This is as officials of the Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have joined its Niger State counterparts, as well as the Red Cross to intensify rescue efforts in search and rescue operations, while bodies are believed to have been swept down the Niger River.
The NSEMA spokesperson noted that “The actual death toll is likely to be higher as many victims are believed to have been swept down the Niger River.

“The usual thing is when an official tells you 151 are dead or missing, you are likely to multiply that by two, three or four.

“At least 3,018 people have been displaced, 265 houses destroyed and two bridges washed away in the floods,” according to Ibrahim Audu Husseini

Similarly, head of the Red Cross in Niger State, Gideon Adamu, disclosed that about 121 of the victims who sustained various degrees of injuries were in hospital.

“We can’t give up on the search as long as there are families crying out,” Adamu said.

Farida Auwalu, the lone survivor from a family of 16, said she lost seven children in the flood, with bodies of four of her children already found and buried.

“My hope is to see the remaining bodies and give them a decent burial and have closure,” Farida stated

Meanwhile, local leaders and residents are calling for state and federal authorities to intervene with long-term support and infrastructure to rebuild their communities and protect them from flooding.

“Warnings have been put out by authorities for people exposed or communities living along river banks to move to higher ground, especially when the rains start to peak, but every year, we continue to see more and more lives and property damaged because of rainfall,” a resident, Idris said.