Tragedy in Mokwa: Flood Disaster Claims Over 100 Lives, Dozens Still Missing
A catastrophic flood has struck Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State, leaving behind a trail of death, destruction, and despair. As of Friday, more than 100 lives had been confirmed lost in the wake of the disaster, with dozens more still missing and feared dead. The flood, triggered by intense rainfall on Wednesday night, submerged entire communities, swept away homes, and left countless families grappling with unimaginable grief.
The relentless rainstorm, which lasted for several hours, transformed tranquil villages into watery graves and washed away entire households. The full scale of the destruction is only just emerging, but early reports paint a heartbreaking picture of loss on a staggering scale.
Mass Burials Amid Widespread Devastation
The grim reality of the disaster was evident as residents of Mokwa gathered to bury their loved ones. On Friday alone, over 40 bodies were laid to rest. This followed the earlier burial of at least 31 victims recovered in the immediate aftermath of the flood. Local volunteers and community leaders say the actual death toll may be far higher, particularly as many of the missing remain unaccounted for, including vulnerable children from Qur’anic schools known as almajirai.
Community eyewitnesses say that in addition to the known victims, a significant number of almajirai may have perished, but their deaths have not yet been formally recorded due to the difficulty in tracking their movements or confirming their whereabouts during the flood.
A Heart-Wrenching Toll: Personal Losses and Survivors’ Stories
Among the countless families impacted, some are facing unimaginable grief. One such case is that of Anas Usman, a resident who lost 17 members of his household in the disaster. Speaking in hushed tones, Usman described the horror of waking up to a rising torrent that engulfed his home and left nothing but devastation in its wake.
“We were preparing to go to the farm when we heard the sound of rushing water. Within minutes, our house was under water. We lost everyone – children, women, men. I don’t even know how I survived,” he said.
Another resident, Salihu Ishaq, recounted the loss of his sister and her three children. “They were swept away by the flood. We still haven’t found their bodies,” he said, his voice shaking with emotion. “This has never happened in our lifetime. Whole families have been wiped out. Houses, belongings, everything is gone.”
Official Confirmation and Response
The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, visited the disaster zone on Friday and confirmed the death toll had crossed 100. Speaking to displaced residents at an emergency shelter, Garba assured them that the state government was working with national agencies to provide immediate relief and long-term support.
“I’ve received updates from NEMA and NSEMA, and the situation is deeply distressing. Search and rescue efforts are still ongoing, and unfortunately, many bodies have not yet been recovered,” he said. “We’ve already received relief materials which are being distributed through the local government chairman. But this is just the beginning. A lot more will be needed.”
Garba urged survivors to remain patient and cooperate with emergency personnel to ensure equitable distribution of aid and facilitate continued search efforts.
Ongoing Search and Rescue Efforts
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), led by its Director-General Zubaida Umar, confirmed that its personnel are actively coordinating search and rescue missions across the affected areas. Local divers, community volunteers, and state officials have joined the efforts, often risking their own lives to retrieve victims from collapsed buildings and floodwaters.
According to the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, the disaster hit the communities of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa in Mokwa particularly hard. He stated that over 50 residential buildings were swept away along with their occupants.
“So far, we’ve recovered 21 corpses, with over 10 people still missing,” he said. “Three survivors – a woman and her two children – are currently receiving treatment for injuries and trauma at the Mokwa General Hospital.”
An Unprecedented Disaster
For many residents, the Mokwa flood is the worst natural disaster they have ever witnessed. Classroom teacher Alhassan Kolo, speaking from Mokwa, described scenes of devastation unlike anything the community has ever faced.
“I personally counted more than 40 burials on Friday alone,” Kolo said. “There are still bodies trapped under collapsed buildings. We’re yet to count the almajirai because no one knows exactly how many of them were there at the time.”
“This flood has touched everyone – from farmers to Islamic scholars. This is beyond anything we ever imagined.”
Destruction of Infrastructure and Economic Paralysis
The disaster has not only claimed lives but has also dealt a heavy blow to infrastructure in the region. According to Jonathan Vatsa, Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Niger State Governor, the flood destroyed the only road linking the North to the South-West – a critical artery for economic and social movement.
“The collapse of the Tatabu Bridge means that access between the northern and southwestern parts of the country is now cut off,” Vatsa said. “This goes beyond a local tragedy. It has national implications.”
He emphasized that the situation had overwhelmed state capacity and called for immediate federal government intervention. “This is a state emergency, but the consequences are national. We need urgent support to rebuild.”
Historical Context and Broader Implications
This is not the first time the region has suffered from devastating floods. In previous years, torrential rains and inadequate drainage systems have led to widespread flooding, claiming lives and displacing communities.
In 2022, floods across the country displaced more than 1.3 million people and resulted in over 600 deaths. Last year, several northern states also experienced catastrophic flooding, highlighting the growing threat of climate-related disasters and the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
Presidential Directive and Federal Government Support
In response to the Mokwa tragedy, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate intensification of search, rescue, and relief efforts. A statement from the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, confirmed that the President had been fully briefed and was closely monitoring developments.
“The immediate priority of the Federal Government is to save lives and provide urgent relief to survivors,” Idris said. “The National Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with the armed forces and Niger State authorities, is working round the clock to ensure that no effort is spared in supporting those affected.”
The President also expressed his deep condolences to the families of the victims and praised first responders and volunteers for their courage and selflessness.
“We urge residents to cooperate fully with emergency personnel and adhere to evacuation orders where necessary,” the statement continued. “Our thoughts and prayers are with every family affected by this disaster. The nation stands united in this moment of mourning.”
Survivors in Need of Urgent Help
Thousands of people have been left homeless, with many now taking shelter in overcrowded schools, places of worship, or with neighbors. These displaced persons urgently need clean water, food, clothing, bedding, and medical supplies.
Health officials warn of the risk of disease outbreaks due to contaminated water sources and poor sanitary conditions in makeshift camps. Community leaders and humanitarian organizations have called on the government, corporate bodies, and the general public to support relief efforts. With roads destroyed and access to some areas limited, getting aid to the most affected communities remains a logistical challenge.
A Call for National Solidarity and Preparedness
The devastating flood in Mokwa serves as a grim and urgent reminder of just how vulnerable many Nigerian communities remain in the face of natural disasters. In recent years, extreme weather events—driven by climate change, environmental degradation, and poor urban planning—have increasingly exposed the weaknesses in our disaster preparedness and emergency response systems. The tragedy that has unfolded in Niger State is not just a local issue—it is a national call to action.
Beyond the grief and loss, this disaster reveals the critical need for long-term investment in flood mitigation infrastructure, such as proper drainage systems, flood barriers, dams, and early warning systems. These measures must be prioritized, not only in Mokwa but across flood-prone areas of the country. Nigeria can no longer afford to treat natural disasters as isolated events; they are becoming more frequent, more deadly, and more disruptive to national development.
Equally important is the need to strengthen institutional coordination between federal, state, and local agencies. Emergency response plans must be better resourced, rehearsed, and implemented swiftly in times of crisis. Communities, too, must be educated and empowered to act quickly in the face of danger.
As families in Mokwa mourn their loved ones and search for the missing, their pain must inspire a unified national response. This is a moment for compassion, solidarity, and accountability. The country must come together—not just to provide temporary relief, but to build a system that can withstand future shocks.
While the road to recovery will be long, it is also an opportunity to rebuild smarter, safer, and stronger. With committed leadership, informed policy, and a shared sense of responsibility, Nigeria can honor the lives lost in Mokwa by ensuring that no community is left behind in future disasters.