A devastating flood that struck Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State has claimed the lives of over 100 people, with more than 100 others still missing as of Friday.
At least 44 of the victims were buried on Friday, following the earlier burial of 31 bodies recovered earlier in the week.
The disaster occurred on Wednesday night amid a torrential downpour that lasted several hours.
The resulting floodwaters overwhelmed the area, submerging homes and sweeping away everything in their path. Families have launched desperate searches for missing loved ones as rescue operations continue.
Deputy Governor of Niger State, Mr Yakubu Garba, confirmed the death toll during a visit to Mokwa on Friday, stating, “I have been briefed by officials from NEMA and NSEMA, who have been on ground since the incident occurred for search and rescue operations. I was told that over 100 people lost their lives and some have yet to be buried as search and rescue operations are still ongoing.”
Addressing survivors at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Garba urged patience, assuring that the government was organizing the distribution of relief materials. He confirmed that materials from NEMA had already been handed over to the council chairman for onward delivery to the victims.
Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director-General of NEMA, also confirmed that agency officials were coordinating search and rescue efforts on-site.
One survivor, Anas Usman, shared his harrowing experience with the News Agency of Nigeria: “We were preparing to go to the farm in the morning when our house was suddenly submerged by floods; we did not know where the flood came from. The flood submerged our house, causing the structure to collapse. We lost children, women and men, who are family members.”
The Director-General of NSEMA, Baba-Arah, provided further details about the scale of the destruction, noting that the flood—triggered by prolonged rainfall—swept away over 50 residential buildings and their occupants.
According to Baba-Arah, “NSEMA received a report of a deadly flood disaster that ravaged two communities, Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa, in Mokwa town, Mokwa LGA.
In response, the agency, in collaboration with Mokwa local government authorities, local divers, and brave volunteers, launched a search and rescue operation to save lives and recover the dead. So far, 21 corpses have been recovered, while 10 persons remain missing. Three survivors, a woman and her two children, are currently receiving treatment for injuries and shock at the Mokwa General Hospital.”
Reacting to the disaster, Jonathan Vatsa, Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Mohammed Bago, said the flood had destroyed the only road connecting the North to the South-West and plunged the entire state into mourning.
He emphasized the need for urgent federal intervention, saying, “We cannot ascertain the exact number of people who died. In fact, we are still waiting for a full report from the area before issuing a formal statement. You see, this is an act of God, a natural disaster. It is beyond human control or imagination. In the last 30 to 40 years, residents of Mokwa have never witnessed anything like this.”
Vatsa added, “It is unfortunate that when things like this happen, lives are lost. The state government and His Excellency are condoling with the families of the deceased, the paramount ruler of Mokwa, and the entire community. His heart and sympathy are with them. Don’t forget, this is his zone.”
He also revealed that, “As I speak to you, the report reaching us is that the Ilorin road has been cut off. That shows the scale of devastation caused by the flood. The Federal Government must intervene. This is far beyond what the state can handle. In fact, the Tatabu Bridge, our only link between the North and the South-West, has collapsed. That road is the only access route to the South-West from this axis. So, the entire state is in mourning, not just the people of Mokwa.”
This disaster echoes previous incidents in recent years. In 2022, over 600 people were killed and more than 1.3 million displaced by flooding across Nigeria, and similar events occurred last year.
In response to the Mokwa tragedy, President Bola Tinubu has directed NEMA and security agencies to intensify rescue and relief operations.
A statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, noted that the President had been fully briefed and was deeply concerned.
“The immediate priority of the Federal Government is to save lives and provide urgent relief to survivors. The National Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Niger State Government, is working around the clock to ensure that no effort is spared in assisting those affected,” Idris stated.
The Federal Government also praised first responders and local volunteers for their swift action and urged residents to cooperate with emergency personnel.
“We urge residents in the affected communities to cooperate fully with emergency personnel and comply with all evacuation instructions. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and all those impacted by this tragedy. The Federal Government extends its deepest condolences to the victims’ families. In this time of sorrow, the nation stands united in grief and solidarity,” the minister concluded.
