Niger Flood Disaster: Over 100 Dead, Dozens Missing in Mokwa Tragedy

A devastating Niger flood that swept through Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State has left a trail of destruction, claiming over 100 lives and leaving more than 100 others missing as of Friday. This natural disaster, triggered by an intense overnight rainfall on Wednesday, has plunged the region into mourning and despair.

The catastrophic floodwaters submerged homes, destroyed infrastructure, and swept away people, livestock, and property in its path. Local officials and emergency responders have described the tragedy as one of the deadliest flood incidents in recent years within the state.

By Friday, no fewer than 44 victims were buried, following the earlier burial of 31 others recovered in the aftermath of the flood. In total, nearly 100 corpses have been laid to rest, with many still unaccounted for.

A resident and classroom teacher, Alhassan Kolo, recounted the tragic events in a phone interview. “This Niger flood is beyond our imagination. We have never witnessed anything like this before,” he said. “I personally counted over 40 corpses buried today alone, not including the almajirai whose numbers we don’t even know.”

Another grieving resident, Salihu Ishaq, disclosed the heartbreaking loss of his sister and her three children. “They were swept away by the flood, and we haven’t found their bodies. Many villages around Mokwa, including the town itself, have been severely affected,” he said.

Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, confirmed the rising death toll during a visit to the disaster-stricken area on Friday. According to Garba, over 100 people had been confirmed dead, and search and rescue operations were still underway.

“I have been briefed by officials from NEMA and NSEMA, who have been on the ground since the incident. Over 100 people lost their lives, and many have yet to be buried as rescue efforts continue,” he said.

Garba also addressed displaced survivors at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, urging them to remain patient while the government works on providing relief materials. He added that materials received from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have already been handed over to the local council for distribution.

Zubaida Umar, the Director-General of NEMA, affirmed that officials are on the ground, coordinating ongoing rescue operations and distributing emergency supplies to the affected communities. According to Umar, the agency is committed to supporting the victims and helping the region recover from the unprecedented disaster.

Among the many harrowing stories is that of Anas Usman, who lost 17 members of his family. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, he said, “We were getting ready to go to the farm in the morning when our house was suddenly submerged by the flood. We lost children, women, and men—my entire family.”

He described the event as sudden and overwhelming, with floodwaters consuming the entire household within minutes. Usman, like many others in Mokwa, now faces the daunting task of rebuilding his life from scratch.

Local sources have raised concerns about the unaccounted-for numbers of Almajirai—young Quranic school pupils—who are believed to have perished in the Niger flood. These children often live in informal shelters and may not have been immediately included in initial casualty counts.

“We still don’t have a record of how many almajirai were caught in the Niger flood,” said Kolo. “Even today, more than five bodies were discovered under collapsed buildings. There are still many missing.”

Communities Devastated by Flooding

The scale of the Niger flood has stunned both residents and authorities. Entire communities around Mokwa have been submerged, with over 50 houses washed away and infrastructure severely damaged.

“This is not something we were prepared for,” said Ishaq. “This is the worst flood we’ve ever experienced. More than 70 people have already been buried, and the search continues for the missing.”

As the Niger flood continues to claim lives and displace families, there is an urgent need for coordinated emergency response, sustainable flood control systems, and long-term rehabilitation plans for affected communities. Local leaders and humanitarian agencies have called on the federal government and international partners to support the rebuilding efforts and provide psychological and financial support for survivors.

In the wake of this disaster, the resilience of the people of Mokwa will be tested. But with swift intervention and sustained support, recovery is possible.

Source – PUNCH