…Confirms 207 dead in Mokwa flood
FROM SAMSON ALFA, Minna.
Niger State Emergency management agency, NSEMA, said it recorded over 410 deaths in various disasters that occurred in the state from 2024 till date.
Director-General of the agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Arab disclosed this in a chat with journalists in his office in Minna yesterday.
He said in spite of the various challenges encountered during the period, the staff are doing their best to fulfil the mandate and responsibilities of NSEMA effectively by attending to various emergencies across the state.
According to Arab, the first disaster recorded in 2024 was the tanker explosion in Agaie, headquarters of Agaie Local Government which claimed 60 lives with eight persons injured.
The director-general explained that Diko tanker explosion which occurred on January 18, claimed over 80 lives, adding that during the period, the agency was in partnership with health services alongside the immediate deployment of emergency teams to manage the situation.
On the dynamite explosion at Sabon Pegi in Mariga Local Government Area, he said only two people died, while several houses were destroyed. Government provided relief materials and cash to those affected.
“The recent one is the Mokwa flood disaster which displaced thousands of people, while 270 people lost their lives. NSEMA led the coordination, mobilised resources and deployed response teams in collaboration with local government authorities.’
Arah stated that before the raining season, NSEMA launched its annual flood sensitisation as an early warning campaign in the eight emirate councils, aimed at increasing public awareness.
“NSEMA also provided relief assistance to victims of residential and commercial fire outbreaks across various parts of the state.”
