Floods kill 17 in central Nigeria

KANO – At least 17 people were killed on Monday in flooding in central Nigeria’s Plateau state while more than 200 houses were washed away, said local officials.

Mohammed Abubakar, chairperson of Wase local government council in Plateau, said that a river burst its banks and swept away 13 villages in the early hours of Monday morning after torrential rains. Abubakar said: “The villages were entirely washed away by the floods, which led to the death of at least 17 people and the destruction of more than 200 houses.”He said 11 people drowned after their canoe capsized as they attempted to flee, a further four were crushed after their house collapsed on them and two other bodies were found by the riverbank.Abubakar said: “The Red Cross has managed to send its workers here and we rely on them for medical attention.”Nampa-AFPAbubakar said: “The villages were entirely washed away by the floods, which led to the death of at least 17 people and the destruction of more than 200 houses.”He said 11 people drowned after their canoe capsized as they attempted to flee, a further four were crushed after their house collapsed on them and two other bodies were found by the riverbank.Abubakar said: “The Red Cross has managed to send its workers here and we rely on them for medical attention.”Nampa-AFP