At least seven people have been reported missing after a torrential rainfall lasting for about 11 hours caused severe flooding in Niger State, affecting over 89 houses and washing away three vehicles. The disaster struck in the Mashegu and Magama Local Government Areas (LGAs) from 2:00 am to 12:00 pm on Friday, August 30, 2024.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Hon. Abdullahi Baba Arah, disclosed this in a press statement released on Friday evening in Minna, the state capital. He also noted that the flooding significantly impacted neighbouring communities like Sabon Pegi in Mashegu LGA and Nassarawa in Magama LGA.
Baba Arah stated, “NSEMA has received reports of flood disasters in Mashegu and Magama LGAs. The flood was caused by torrential rainfall that lasted from 2:00 am to 12:00 pm on Friday, August 30th.”
The heavy downpour has resulted in seven people being declared missing, over 89 houses damaged, hundreds of hectares of farmland destroyed, and three vehicles swept away by the floodwaters.
The affected communities are in the Sabon Pegi area of Mashegu LGA and the Nassarawa area of Magama LGA.
NSEMA has assured the public that search and rescue operations are currently underway. NSEMA staff, volunteers, and local riverine communities are working to locate the missing persons and provide relief to those affected.
