By ZAGAZOLA MAKAMA

The death toll from the devastating flood that swept through Mokwa town in Niger State has risen to more than 60, as rescue workers continue to recover more bodies from submerged homes and farmlands.

Zagazola Makama was reliably informed that that the flood, which struck in the early hours of Wednesday, has been described by residents and local officials as the deadliest in the history of the town.

Community sources said many victims were caught in their sleep as the waters surged through residential areas, destroying houses, farmlands, and critical infrastructure.

?The scale of destruction and the number of deaths recorded in this single incident has never been experienced before in Mokwa,? a resident, Malam Musa Ibrahim, said.

While the exact cause of the flooding is yet to be confirmed, local speculation points to a possible release of water from the Kainji Dam.

Emergency response teams and volunteers are continuing recovery and relief efforts, as dozens remain missing and hundreds displaced.

Chairman of Mokwa Local Government Area, Hon. Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi, confirmed the rising casualty figure and called on the Niger State Government and relevant federal agencies to urgently intervene with relief materials and long-term support for affected communities.

?This is a tragic day for us. We are overwhelmed by the destruction and the high number of lives lost,? he said.

Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders are expected to arrive the town for a full-scale assessment and coordinated humanitarian response. (Zagazola, but headline rejigged)

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