Survivors of Wednesday’s devastating flood in Tiffin Maza and Angwan Hausawa of Mokwa and Rabba towns have narrated their narrow escape from the disaster.
They also spoke about their ordeals, pain, losses and fears to LEADERSHIP Sunday.
They expressed fear of a possible outbreak of an epidemic as the stench from some decomposing bodies filled their communities.
One of the most disturbed residents is Mallam Hassan Yusuf who operates an Islamic school in the area.
He revealed that 20 of his pupils were yet to be found three days after the flood, which destroyed property worth hundreds of millions of naira and displaced thousands of residents.
He said, “We have four Islamic schools here. I have not seen 20 of my pupils (Almajiris). Others also lost their pupils. What do I tell their parents, some of them are from outside Niger State?”
There are indications that about 40 of the Islamic pupils in the communities were swept away by the flood.
Yusuf, who could not be comforted, said he was still praying that the pupils be found.
A survivor, Fatima Ishaq, who said she was putting up with a relation, said all the houses in their compound were washed away.
“We, my two children and husband, are scattered; we are living with relations and we are finding it difficult to survive. All we had have been washed away,” she said.
Another victim, Abdullahi Idris, told LEADERSHIP Sunday: “Though I survived it, I lost my neighbours who were so dear to me. We never expected any disaster of this nature ”
Meanwhile, some of the residents interviewed expressed fear of an epidemic because of the smell from the relics of the flood that still had dead bodies buried under them.
A resident, Yusuf Ahmodu said, “Since the incident occurred on Wednesday, some of us around the Angwa Hausawa and Tiffin Maza area are now afraid of an epidemic and another flood.”
Another resident, Audu Idris, said, “You can smell the stench from far away. There are dangerous reptiles that might have followed the flow of the water.”
Many residents are in palpable fear of epidemics due to bodies that have started decomposing and are yet to be evacuated from the collapsed buildings.
The updated records of the casualty rate and others presented to a federal government delegation that visited the area yesterday showed that 503 households were affected by the flood.
A family reportedly lost five of its members in the flood and a popular Islamic school at Angwuwan Hausa lost 40 of its pupils between the ages of eight and 16 years.
The state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) in the report seen by LEADERSHIP Sunday revealed that 265 buildings were completely washed away in the three communities affected by the flood.
Similarly, the three affected communities were completely cut off as two bridges and two roads were submerged by the flood.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba yesterday received the federal government delegation to the state.
The deputy governor told the delegation that 151 bodies had so far been recovered from the flood and appealed for intervention in providing more aid to the communities and victims.
The federal government delegation was led by the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, and Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatdo.
Garba said to the delegation: “The interim reports showed 151 bodies recovered and buried, 3018 people were displaced, 513 households and 268 houses affected, three communities affected were Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa of Mokwa town, and Rabba where 36 bodies were recovered, 11 persons injured while two roads and two bridges were washed away during the flood.”
Noting that the assessment was still ongoing, the deputy governor stated that the state government had approved 6,000 bags of rice and other essential materials for distribution to cushion the effects of the disaster.
While stating that the actual causes of the flooding were still sketchy, he lauded the swift response of NEMA and other relevant organisations.
Tinubu, Senator, Others Rally Round Survivors
The information and national orientation minister Mohammed Idris conveyed President Tinubu’s heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the state.
The minister said Tinubu was saddened by the incident and stands in solidarity with all those affected.
“We are here on the directive of Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to come and see the people of Niger State – particularly the governor and officials of the state government – to commiserate with you, to sympathise and empathise with you on what has happened in Mokwa local government area.
“Mr. President is personally saddened by this, and yesterday he directed that every available resource of the federal government be deployed to Mokwa. That’s why you are seeing me in the company of my brother, the minister of humanitarian affairs,” he said.
He added that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had carried out a comprehensive assessment of the situation and had mobilised resources to deliver immediate relief and support to the affected communities.
“We are aware that NEMA has been collaborating with the state government to ensure seamless operations. They have ensured that the bodies of those who lost their lives are respectfully recovered, those who sustained various degrees of injuries are attended to, and every necessary measure is being put in place to provide succour to our brothers and sisters in Mokwa,” he stated.
Idris noted that the President expressed deep concern over the scale of the disaster, particularly as it comes barely a year after a similar incident caused widespread devastation in several communities across Niger State.
He said the federal government was working diligently to ensure that adequate preparedness and mitigation measures are in place for similar occurrences in the future.
The Minister also revealed that the President had directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to collaborate with state governments nationwide to intensify public sensitisation efforts – especially in communities situated around flood plains – to ensure residents heed early warning signs and take appropriate preventive measures.
“This is also a call to our people to take this as a warning against future occurrences, especially those living in areas prone to this kind of disaster,” he said.
Idris commended the Niger State government and its agencies for their swift response to the disaster.
In his remarks, Prof. Yilwatda said the government was exploring additional avenues of support for the displaced persons.
He stated that the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons had been directed to take over from NEMA in providing continued care and support to those displaced by the disaster.
In his response, Niger State deputy governor Garba thanked President Tinubu for the quick intervention during the disaster, describing it as a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the welfare of citizens in times of crises.
Mr. Garba said the people of Niger State were devastated by the scale of destruction caused by the Mokwa floods.
Senator Musa Donates N50m, Food Items To Survivors
Meanwhile, Senator Mohammed Musa, who represents Niger East Senatorial District and chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, has donated N50 million and several truckloads of food items to the victims of the flood disaster.
He made the donation as part of his efforts to support ongoing relief operations towards easing the suffering of the displaced persons.
In a statement he issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja, Musa expressed deep sympathy with the government and people of Niger State, describing the incident as a tragic disaster that has brought immense hardship to many.
“On behalf of myself, my family, and the good people of Niger East Senatorial District, I extend my deepest condolences to His Excellency, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the people and government of Niger State, His Royal Highness the Etsu Nupe, and the resilient people of Mokwa,” he said.
“This tragedy has claimed lives, displaced families, and disrupted livelihoods. I mourn with the families who have lost loved ones and offer my heartfelt sympathies to all those affected.”
The donation included staple food items such as rice, millet, and maize to help provide immediate sustenance for displaced and vulnerable members of the community.
APC, Abbas Condole Gov Bago Over Disaster
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commiserated with the government and people of Niger State over the flood disaster.
The ruling party sympathised with the families that have lost loved ones and those displaced from their homes as a result of the calamity.
The APC national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, who stated this in Abuja yesterday, commended the valiant efforts of first responders and courageous citizens engaged in search, rescue and recovery operations in the flood-affected districts.
Morka urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other federal, state and local authorities to expand efforts and interventions to quickly mitigate the impact of the disaster and bring relief to victims.
“It is our prayer that the souls of all who have died may find eternal rest, as we pray for quick recovery and healing for those injured in this tragedy. Amen,” he noted.
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