Niger State deputy governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, has disclosed that about 1,000 people were still missing while 200 bodies have been buried following the flood in Mokwa local government area of the state.
He disclosed this yesterday while receiving the presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, who paid a sympathy visit at the Government House, Minna.
Comrade Garba who described the incident as a national catastrophe, said, “It is not only lives lost that were lost, infrastructure and other amenities were lost to the flood.
“It is a shocking incident in the country; national and international assistance is needed. Issues of flood has been recurring also in Mashegu and Rafi. Since this began, we have lost 200 lives; 1,000 missing and over 3,000 displaced. We are afraid of what would happen when the rain becomes heavier in July and August.“
He said the state government would continue to take proactive measures by sensitising the people, adding that the nation should pray that the state and the country would not witness this kind of incident again.
Obi said he was touched by the devastating effects of the flood and donated N20 million to mitigate the effects of the flood on the people.
“I am singularly here to commiserate with you. Whatever happened, we are Nigerians; Niger State can change Nigeria. Whatever happens in Niger State affects Nigeria. We are here to pay condolences; may God Almighty who allowed that, grant those who died eternal rest,“ he said.
