Ogona Anita
The devastating flood that swept through Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State has claimed over 100 lives, with more than 100 persons still missing as of Friday.
No fewer than 44 of the victims were interred on Friday, following the burial of 31 others recovered earlier in the week.
The incident occurred on Wednesday night during a torrential rainfall that lasted several hours.
The surging floodwaters submerged homes and swept away everything in its path.
As search and rescue operations continue with more people still at risk, distraught families have mounted intense search for their missing loved ones.
Local residents told Saturday PUNCH that the death toll was likely much higher, revealing that many corpses, especially those of Almajirai (Qur’anic school pupils), had yet to be accounted for.
Over 100 dead
The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Mr Yakubu Garba, said over 100 had been confirmed dead.
Garba disclosed the casualty figure during a visit to Mokwa on Friday, adding that search and rescue operations were ongoing.
He said, ‘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’.
Garba, while addressing survivors at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, urged them to exercise patience as the state government was working out modalities to provide relief materials to those affected.
He said the state government had received materials from NEMA, which had been handed over to the council chairman for onward distribution to the victims
Also speaking, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said officials of the agency were on the ground coordinating the search and rescue operations.
One of the victims, Anas Usman, told the News Agency of Nigeria that 17 members of his household lost their lives to the disaster.
‘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,” he said.
40 corpses buried Friday
A classroom teacher in Mokwa, Alhassan Kolo, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on the phone, said over 40 corpses were buried on Friday, excluding those of the almajirai.
He said, ‘This flood is beyond our imagination. We have never witnessed anything like this before. The people affected are the poorest of the poor, many with large families. Even Islamic scholars reside in the affected areas. The corpses of the almajirai haven’t been counted yet because we still don’t have a record of their number.
“We’re talking about a large number of people who died. This is not a small area where you can easily count the number of corpses. So far, I personally counted over 40 corpses buried today. Even today alone, we discovered more than five. There are still corpses trapped under collapsed buildings’.
‘My sister, three children swept away’
Looking downcast, a resident, Salihu Ishaq, revealed that his sister and her three children were swept away by the flood and their corpses had yet to be found.
While speaking on the scale of the disaster, he noted that the people of Mokwa had never seen such devastation.
Ishaq said, ‘This incident is tragic. We never imagined something like this would happen. Since I was born, I have never seen a flood of this magnitude. Many villages around Mokwa, including the town itself, have been affected.
‘Today alone, we buried over 40 corpses. More than 100 people are still missing, and I fear many of them may be dead. My sister and her three children were swept away by the flood’, he said, his voice breaking with emotion.
‘The flood washed away over 50 houses. We have buried over 70 people so far, and the search for more corpses continues. We don’t know the whereabouts of those still missing. Several communities around Mokwa were affected. Altogether, nearly 100 corpses have been buried since yesterday (Thursday).
‘The people have lost everything. Many are now taking shelter with neighbours or in school buildings. The government must intervene urgently. This is too much for the victims to bear alone’.
50 buildings, occupants swept away – Agency
The DG of NSEMA, Baba-Arah, while speaking on the number of corpses recovered and those still missing, said the torrential rainfall that led to the flood lasted for hours.
He explained that surging waters submerged and swept away more than 50 residential buildings and their occupants.
Baba-Arah said, ‘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.
“So far, 21 corpses have been recovered, while over 10 persons are still missing’
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.
‘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’, Vatsa said.
Last year, some parts of northern Nigeria were hit by intense rainfall and flooding, leading to loss of lives, displacement of residents, and widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure.
Similarly, in 2022, the country experienced devastating floods that displaced about 1.3 million people and claimed over 600 lives.
President Tinubu orders intensified rescue, relief efforts
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Emergency Management Agency and security agencies to step up ongoing rescue and relief efforts in the affected areas.
This was contained in a statement on Friday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who said the President had been fully briefed on the disaster and was deeply concerned about the loss of lives and widespread damage.
‘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 commended first responders and local volunteers for their swift actions in search-and-rescue efforts across the affected areas.
He added, ‘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’.
Flood disaster triggered by intensive rainfall hit Kpege neighborhood of Mokwa town in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State on 29th May, 2025 in the very early morning hours of 0300 when residents were mostly asleep. Search and rescue operation by emergency volunteers of the Mokwa Local Government Area, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Nigeria Red Cross Society is ongoing. Local volunteers are also supporting the operation. Rescued persons are being evacuated to hospital, some are being given immediate first aid while the injured are being moved to hospitals within reach.
NEMA has activated its Minna Operations Office to deploy search and rescue officers and mobile support equipment. A team led by the NEMA Director, Search and Rescue has also been activated from NEMA headquarters Abuja together with additional search and rescue officers, Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance, Rapid Intervention Vehicles and Mobile Water Treatment equipment to support the operations. Security Agencies including the military DRUs from nearby Kainji Military formation have been contacted to support ongoing operations.
Main priority of the operation is to rescue survivors, evacuate the injured and those that lost their lives, maintain safety, provide life saving food, water, sanitation, temporary shelter and security and also restore normalcy. Members of the public living in the vicinity of the incident site are advised to remain vigilant and report any incident to security operatives and emergency responders.
A comprehensive assessment will be conducted in due course to be shared to partners and to guide recovery planning.
Zubaida Umar
Director General, NEMA
29th May, 2025
