Nigeria declares emergency as flooding hits 4 states

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria

Nigeria has declared a state of emergency in four states as dozens have been confirmed killed and hundreds missing due to floods.

Mustapha Maihaja, chief of the country's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said the flooding was now “a national disaster” across the states of Kogi, Niger, Delta and Anambra. Eight others are being monitored.

“Dozens of people are either dead or missing. Thousands have now been displaced across the states,” he said.

The relief agency said the flooding was worsened after the country's Niger River -- which borders many states -- overflowed, displacing thousands of people along its banks.