At least 151 people were confirmed dead after heavy rain Flooding in a market town in northern central Nigeriathe local emergency service department told the Associated Press on Saturday.
Ibrahim Audu Husseini, spokesman for the Niger State Emergency Bureau, said more than 3,000 people were displaced in the floods in the town of Mokwa in Niger State, 180 miles west of Abuja, the capital of Africa’s most populous country.
Chenemi Bamaiyi / AP 
Hussein added that at least 500 communities were affected in the dawn rain Friday, with almost invisible roofs and residents deep in the water waist.
Community in northern Nigeria has experienced prolonged dry spells, climate change and excessive rainfall, resulting in severe flooding during a short, humid season.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said he has directed the activation of the National Emergency Centre to quickly assist the state.
“Search operations are underway and all relevant federal agencies are mobilized to support the efforts of the state government,” Tinubu said in a late-night message. “Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay. We will ensure that Nigerians who have not been affected by this disaster are abandoned or unheard of.”
Chenemi Bamaiyi / AP 
Residents mourned the dead on Saturday as some were expecting news that their loved ones still had no blame. They also lament the damage caused by the town, a major gathering spot where traders from the south buy beans, onions and other food from farmers in the north.
“We have lost many lives, property, our agricultural products. Those who store them are lost,” said resident Kazeem Muhammed.
