Heavy pre-dawn showers lashed a market town on Friday, leaving roofs barely visible and residents waist-deep in water.

The rain affected at least 500 households across three communities in Mokwa, about 230 miles west of Nigeria’s capital Abuja, Niger state agency spokesman Ibrahim Audu Husseini said.

Communities in northern Nigeria have been experiencing prolonged dry spells worsened by climate change and excessive rainfall that leads to severe flooding during the brief wet season.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said he has directed the activation of the national emergency response centre to quickly assist the state.

‘Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and all relevant federal agencies have been mobilised to support the state government’s efforts,’ Mr Tinubu said 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 disaster is left behind or unheard of.’
Residents were mourning the dead on Saturday as some 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 many lives, and the properties, our farm produce. Those that have their storage have lost it,’ said resident Kazeem Muhammed.

It comes after in September 2024 hundreds of thousands in Nigeria fled their homes to avoid sweeping floods that devastated the country and allowed nearly 300 prisoners to escape a single jail