A catastrophic flood that swept through Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State has left over 100 people dead and more than 100 others missing. The disaster, which struck during a torrential downpour on Wednesday night, submerged homes and swept away entire families, triggering a large-scale search and rescue effort.
By Friday, 44 victims had been buried following the interment of 31 others earlier in the week. The flood, which affected several communities, is being described as the most devastating in the region’s history.
Death Toll Surpasses 100
Niger State Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, confirmed the staggering loss of life during his visit to Mokwa on Friday. “I was informed by officials from NEMA and NSEMA that over 100 people have died, and rescue operations are still ongoing,” Garba said.
Addressing displaced survivors at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, he assured them that the state government, with support from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), was mobilizing relief materials for immediate distribution.
NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, stated that the agency had deployed officials to coordinate ongoing recovery and rescue efforts in the area.
Personal Tragedies Unfold
One resident, Anas Usman, told the News Agency of Nigeria that 17 members of his household perished when their home was engulfed by floodwaters. “We were about to leave for the farm when the flood hit. Our house collapsed, and we lost women, children, and men,” he recounted.
A teacher in Mokwa, Alhassan Kolo, revealed that over 40 bodies were buried on Friday alone, not counting those of the almajirai (Qur’anic pupils), whose numbers remain unaccounted for. “We have never witnessed this scale of disaster. Many corpses remain under rubble,” Kolo said.
Family of Four Still Missing
Another distraught resident, Salihu Ishaq, recounted the loss of his sister and her three children, whose bodies have yet to be found. “Over 100 people are still missing. Entire villages have been swept away,” he said. “We have buried more than 70 people already, and the number is rising.”
Over 50 Homes Washed Away
Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, reported that the flood submerged and carried away over 50 houses and their occupants in two major communities — Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa.
He said, “Our rescue operations, conducted alongside local government officials and community volunteers, have recovered 21 bodies so far, with at least 10 still missing. Three survivors, including a woman and her two children, are being treated at the Mokwa General Hospital for injuries and shock.”
Government Appeals for Support
A senior aide to the Governor described the scale of the disaster as overwhelming. “This incident is beyond the capacity of the state to handle alone. We urgently need federal assistance and wider humanitarian support to aid recovery,” he said.
Humanitarian Crisis Looms
The disaster has displaced hundreds of families, many of whom are now sheltering in schools or with neighbours. Entire communities have lost homes, loved ones, and livelihoods. Survivors are appealing for urgent intervention to provide food, medical care, and housing.
As rescue operations continue, the death toll is expected to rise, with hopes fading for many of those still missing. The Mokwa flood stands as one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent Nigerian history, underscoring the urgent need for improved flood mitigation infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
ADEOLA KUNLE
