The Niger State Government has announced that over 700 individuals are still unaccounted for following a recent flood disaster in Mokwa town, which serves as the headquarters of Mokwa Local Government Area.
The Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago, who Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba represented, made this announcement on Tuesday in Minna during a meeting with a condolence delegation led by Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sani Abacha.
As reported by the government, there have been 207 confirmed fatalities, and more than 3,000 households have been displaced.
The flood has also caused damage to approximately 400 houses, with 283 homes and 50 shops completely destroyed.
Governor Bago characterised the event as a national disaster and stated that the government is working in collaboration with professional organisations to investigate the underlying causes of the flooding.
Reports from assessments are still pending.
Major Al-Mustapha, who led a group of sympathisers from various parts of the country, indicated that their visit aimed to convey condolences and discuss strategies to prevent future occurrences.
He mentioned that the delegation would also engage with the traditional council in Mokwa.
In a related matter, Governor Bago revealed that a considerable portion of the victims were non-indigenes, constituting over 50 per cent of those impacted by the flood on May 29.
While receiving relief items from Veritas University, Abuja, Governor Bago, again represented by his deputy, stated that the documentation of victims is currently in progress, which includes collecting bank details to facilitate cash disbursement from the donated funds.
He emphasised that although the state’s Accountant General has not yet disclosed the total amount of donations, each affected family is anticipated to receive at least ₦1 million.
Additionally, host families that are accommodating displaced victims will also receive support.
The delegation from Veritas University, led by Rev. Dr. Peter Bakwaph on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, presented 150 mattresses, mosquito repellents, and other essential relief materials.
The university noted that some of its students have lost family members in the disaster.