A catastrophic flood in Mokwa, a prominent agricultural town in Niger State, Nigeria, has resulted in the deaths of at least 150 individuals, including numerous children, according to state authorities. The disaster was caused by continuous and intense rainfall that led to overflowing waters and widespread destruction.
As of Saturday morning, Ibrahim Hussaini, spokesperson for Niger State’s emergency management agency, confirmed that 151 bodies had been recovered. He noted that rescue operations were ongoing and that the final death toll may increase as search efforts continue. Over 3,000 residents have been displaced due to the flooding, which struck with devastating force in the early hours.
Families Devastated and Homes Destroyed
The Kpege neighborhood in Mokwa was especially hard-hit. The flooding occurred while many residents were asleep, leaving little time to evacuate. Survivors describe a chaotic and terrifying scene as homes were quickly overwhelmed by rising waters.
Hassan Abdullahi, a 26-year-old resident of Mokwa, shared his harrowing experience. He lost nine members of his family in the flood, including his elderly mother, and young nieces and nephews between the ages of 4 and 8. “We lost everything. Even a single cloth and shoe, we don’t have. Where to sleep, we don’t have. We are in serious pain,” he said, expressing his deep sorrow and helplessness.
The Niger State government released a statement describing the flood as a “deadly disaster” and said it had submerged buildings and caused “loss of many lives” in two affected communities. Officials called the incident “saddening, heartbreaking, and pathetic,” and pledged support for those impacted.
Recurring Flood Risks and Urgent Need for Preparedness
This tragic event is the latest in a series of seasonal floods that have plagued northern Nigeria. The region is highly susceptible to flooding during the rainy season, which often leads to significant loss of life and property. Last year, similar conditions resulted in over 200 deaths and the displacement of more than 386,000 people across the area, according to data from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The current disaster echoes the scale of flooding experienced in 2022, when Nigeria recorded its worst flooding in over a decade. That year, more than 600 people were killed nationwide, and over a million were forced to flee their homes due to the widespread devastation.
Authorities and humanitarian agencies are now working to provide emergency relief, including temporary shelter, food, and clean water, to the thousands left homeless in Mokwa. The priority remains rescuing those still missing and ensuring medical assistance is available for survivors.
As climate patterns continue to shift and heavy rainfall becomes more unpredictable, officials warn that Nigeria must strengthen infrastructure and disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions to prevent future tragedies on this scale.
