The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election Peter Obi has visited Niger State to condole with victims and authorities following the devastating flash floods that ravaged Mokwa Local Government Area, killing over 153 people and displacing thousands.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Obi said he had travelled alongside former minister Nenadi Usman and spokesperson Yunusa Tanko to show solidarity with the people affected by the disaster.

“Today, along with @SenNenadiUsman and Dr @YunusaTanko, I travelled to Niger State to condole and show solidarity with the Governor and the good people of the state over the devastating floods in the Mokwa area,” he wrote.

Obi revealed that he had earlier contacted Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago from the United Kingdom to extend his condolences, before making the trip in person. He was received in the state by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba.

“We had a discussion about the urgent needs of the affected communities, where over 200 lives have been lost, about 1,000 persons are still missing, more than 3,000 people have been displaced from their homes, and several homes destroyed,” he noted.

The 63-year-old politician also announced a ₦20 million donation as part of his commitment to supporting recovery efforts in the state.

“As part of my commitment to stand with the people of Niger State during this difficult time, I made an initial donation of ₦20 million to support the effort of the government, and I will continue to support their effort,” Obi said.

The former Anambra state governor called for a united national response, urging the Federal Government, emergency agencies, and concerned Nigerians to support the victims.

“As I mentioned during the visit, this incident and others happening all over Nigeria affect us all. As a family, we must come together to care, comfort, and stand together, especially in times of grief and difficulty.

“May Niger State find peace and restoration. I pray that God comforts the families of those who have lost their loved ones, protects those still missing, and grants healing and strength to everyone affected by this disaster,” he stated.

The agency’s acting director general, Ibrahim Hussaini, confirmed the updated figures, stating that the death toll spiked after more bodies were recovered beneath a collapsed bridge.

Triggered by relentless rainfall between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the flooding also left 11 people injured and destroyed at least three bridges.

Other affected areas, including Ndayako and Raba communities, recorded no fatalities but suffered extensive damage to homes and one additional bridge.

Search and rescue operations have been hampered by submerged roads, with officials noting that heavy equipment may be required to reach some victims still feared buried in debris. Hussaini expressed concern that the challenges of access were slowing down emergency responses.

Families in Mokwa are grappling with overwhelming loss, with some households reportedly losing more than a dozen members.

One civil servant, Mohammed Tanko, lamented the devastation, saying “his childhood home had been completely destroyed along with the lives of at least 15 relatives.”

Red Cross officials involved in the recovery operation vowed to continue the search for survivors and the deceased, stressing that the cries of grieving families cannot be ignored.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had issued a warning for flash floods in 15 states, including Niger.

In 2024 alone, floods have claimed 321 lives across 34 states.