At least 200 people have died and 500 remain missing after devastating floods swept through Mokwa, Niger State, following torrential rains last week.

Local authorities have called off rescue operations, fearing that no more survivors will be found.

The disaster, described as the worst flooding in the region in six decades, has displaced over 3,000 people, destroyed two roads and collapsed two bridges, severely disrupting transportation and trade.

Mokwa, a major agricultural hub, is where northern Nigerian farmers sell produce to traders from the south. The floods have devastated local markets, further exacerbating food insecurity.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed condolences to affected families, directing emergency relief efforts to accelerate recovery.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has begun distributing aid, while officials warn that inadequate drainage infrastructure has worsened the crisis.

Scientists attribute Nigeria’s increasing flood disasters to climate change, noting that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense.

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