A catastrophic flood struck Mokwa in Niger State late Wednesday night, leaving at least 115 people dead and dozens of families displaced. Among the hardest hit is Anas Usman, who reported losing 17 members of his household. The incident followed intense overnight rainfall that caught residents off guard. Homes in the Kpege area were submerged in the early hours, and several buildings collapsed. Usman said they were getting ready to head to the farm when floodwaters overwhelmed their house. He described the event as sudden and devastating, with no warning of where the water was coming from.
Following the disaster, Niger State Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba visited the affected communities. Acting on the governor’s orders, he confirmed the recovery of more than 115 bodies, while rescue efforts continued. He explained that both the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) were actively involved in locating survivors and providing support. Relief materials from NEMA had already been delivered and handed over to local authorities for distribution.
NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, confirmed that food items, mats, and blankets were provided. She added that the agency was working alongside the Nigerian Red Cross and NSEMA to coordinate relief and rescue missions. She also disclosed that teams on the ground had identified Unguwan Hausawa and Tiffin Maza within Mokwa town as the hardest-hit areas. Some injured victims received first aid on-site, while others were treated and discharged from local health centres.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has expressed condolences to those affected. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, issued a statement assuring the public that President Bola Tinubu has been fully briefed. According to him, the president directed all emergency and security agencies to intensify rescue operations. Idris emphasized that the immediate focus is saving lives and delivering aid. He praised first responders and volunteers risking their safety to support survivors. Residents were advised to cooperate with emergency officials and follow evacuation orders.
This disaster has plunged many into mourning, with entire households lost. Relief efforts are ongoing, and both state and federal authorities have pledged continued support as affected communities begin to pick up the pieces.
