Severe flooding in Niger State’s Mashegu and Magama local government areas has left seven people missing and destroyed 89 houses after heavy rainfall early Friday.
The floods, caused by torrential downpours from 2 a.m. to 12 p.m., affected Sabon Pegi in Mashegu Local Government Area and Nasarawa in Magama Local Government Area. The heavy rainfall also swept away three vehicles and damaged hundreds of hectares of farmland.
Abdullahi Baba-Arab, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the disaster, stating that efforts are underway to locate those who are missing.
In a statement from the agency’s spokesperson, Hussaine Ibrahim, Baba-Arab elaborated on the extent of the flooding, saying, “NSEMA has received reports of flood disasters in Mashegu and Magama LGAs. The flood was caused by torrential rainfall that lasted through the early hours of Friday, August 30.”
He further stated, “As of the time of filing this report, seven people have been declared missing, over 89 houses were affected, hundreds of hectares of farmlands, and three vehicles were washed away.”
Communities most impacted include those surrounding Sabon Pegi in Mashegu and Nasarawa in Magama. Rescue operations are currently being conducted by NSEMA personnel, volunteers, and local riverine community members.
This latest flooding incident highlights the increasing frequency of severe weather events in Nigeria, which have led to widespread displacement, destruction of homes and infrastructure, and urgent humanitarian needs, including shelter, food, and medical assistance.
