Death toll from reaches 151 in north-central Nigeria town submerged in floods, thousands displaced

ABUJA Nigeria AP At least people have now been ratified dead after heavy rainfall unleashed flooding in a arena town in north-central Nigeria the local urgency services informed The Associated Press on Saturday More than people were displaced in the flooding in the town of Mokwa in Niger state more than miles kilometers west of Abuja the capital of Africa s majority of populous nation Niger state crisis agency spokesman Ibrahim Audu Husseini stated At least households across three communities were affected in the predawn rain Friday leaving roofs barely visible and residents waist-deep in water Husseini added Communities in northern Nigeria have been experiencing prolonged dry spells worsened by situation change and excessive rainfall that leads to severe flooding during the brief wet season Nigerian President Bola Tinubu mentioned he has directed the activation of the national emergency response center to hurriedly assist the state Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing and all relevant federal agencies have been mobilized to patronage the state ruling body s efforts Tinubu commented in a late night message Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay We will ensure that no Nigerian affected by this calamity is left behind or unheard of Residents were mourning the dead on Saturday as several awaited news of their loved ones still unaccounted for They also lamented the destruction caused in the town a major meeting point where traders from the south buy beans onions and other food from farmers in the north We lost various lives and the properties our farm produce Those that have their storage have lost it explained resident Kazeem Muhammed Source