A catastrophic flood has swept through Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State, resulting in the deaths of more than 100 people, with over 100 individuals still unaccounted for as of Friday. The disaster, which struck on Wednesday night following hours of relentless rainfall, has left families devastated and entire communities submerged.
On Friday, 44 victims were laid to rest, adding to the 31 burials conducted earlier in the week. The floodwaters, described as unprecedented by residents, engulfed homes and swept away everything in their path. Local sources say the death toll could be even higher, as many bodies, particularly those of Almajirai (Qur’anic school pupils), remain missing.
Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba confirmed the grim figures during a visit to the area, 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.”
Survivors at an internally displaced persons camp were urged to remain patient as the state government, with support from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), works to distribute relief materials. NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, assured that officials are coordinating ongoing rescue efforts.
Personal accounts highlight the scale of the tragedy. Anas Usman, a resident, shared, “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.”
A classroom teacher, Alhassan Kolo, reported that over 40 bodies were buried on Friday alone, excluding the unaccounted Almajirai. “This flood is beyond our imagination. We have never witnessed anything like this before,” he said.
The Director-General of NSEMA, Baba-Arah, detailed that the torrential rain lasted for hours and swept away more than 50 residential buildings with their occupants. “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,” he said.
The flood also destroyed the only road linking the North to the South-West, plunging the state into mourning. Senior Special Adviser Jonathan Vatsa called for urgent federal intervention, describing the disaster as “beyond the capacity of the state government.”
President Bola Tinubu has ordered NEMA and security agencies to intensify rescue and relief efforts. The federal government commended first responders and volunteers, urging affected residents to cooperate with emergency personnel and comply with evacuation orders.
