The death toll from the devastating Mokwa flood in Niger State, on Friday, has risen to 200, with over 1,000 people still missing, according to the Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba.
Following the disaster, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, paid a condolence visit to the Governor, Muhammad Bago.
Also, the United States (U.S.) and Turkey commiserated with the state and sympathised with Nigeria over the tragedy, which claimed over 150 lives and displaced over 3,000 residents.
In response to the disaster, President Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, dispatched a high-level delegation to Niger to assess the situation and support relief efforts.
Garba, while receiving Obi in Government House, Minna, disclosed that more than 3,000 people were displaced and over 2,000 houses were affected by the flood.
He added that the number of bodies recovered continues to rise hourly as families desperately search for missing loved ones.
Obi sympathised with the government and the people of Niger and donated N20 million to the families of the victims. He also promised to personally visit the survivors in Mokwa in no distant time.
“I will personally visit Mokwa to condole with the families of the victims, as well as meet the survivors one-on-one in this their moment of grief,” said the former governor of Anambra State, who had earlier prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims and for God to grant their families the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
In his remarks, Garba, who received Obi on behalf of Governor Mohammed Bago, thanked the former governor for supporting the distressed flood victims. He received the donation on behalf of the government and people of Niger, commending Obi for his show of kindness and love for humanity, especially in support of victims of natural disasters.
ALSO, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, yesterday, via its official X account, expressed deep sadness over the tragedy.
“The U.S. Mission is deeply saddened by the news of last Friday’s devastating floods that have impacted Niger State,” the statement reads. “During this time of immense loss and hardship, our hearts are with all those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, displaced by loss of homes and livelihoods, or struggling to find shelter.
“We are holding in our thoughts you and the federal and state emergency workers who are working to provide relief and alleviate the effects of this disaster.”
THE Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement yesterday, conveyed condolences to the Nigerian government and the families of those affected by the disaster.
The statement expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and extensive damage caused by the flooding.
It reads: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and destruction caused by the devastating floods in Mokwa. We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of Nigeria.”