Heavy rains in Nigeria kill 21

At least 21 people were killed in north central Nigeria on Thursday (May 29) when their homes were destroyed by heavy rains and nearly a dozen were missing, reports Reuters.

Ibrahim Hussaini, head of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, said that 50 houses were submerged in water in two communities in the state.

"Twenty-one bodies have so far been recovered in the incident, while over 10 persons were still missing as the search and rescue operation continued," Hussaini said.

Nigeria is prone to flooding during the rainy season, which began in April.

Experts warn that climate change is contributing to increased rainfall across West Africa, resulting in a rise in natural disasters such as floods and landslides.

In 2022, Nigeria witnessed one of its deadliest flood seasons, with more than 600 lives lost and thousands displaced from their homes.