Mokwa Floods Ravage Niger State – Death Toll Nears 250, Thousands Displaced

The catastrophic floods that struck Mokwa, Niger State, on May 29, 2025, have claimed at least 230 lives, with over 500 people still missing, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA). Described as the worst flooding in the region in 60 years, the disaster has displaced over 3,000 residents, destroyed over 260 homes, and washed away critical infrastructure, including the Mokwa Bridge, a vital link between Nigeria’s north and southwest.

Triggered by intense pre-dawn rainfall, the floods overwhelmed Mokwa’s inadequate drainage systems, flattening neighborhoods like Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa.

NSEMA reports 121 injured and heightened risks of disease outbreaks due to unrecovered bodies swept into the Niger River. Local resident Adamu Yusuf recounted , “I watched helplessly as water washed away my family,” losing his wife and newborn.

Recent updates highlight dire conditions in relief camps, with displaced residents decrying insufficient aid, including a lack of clean water, toilets, and adequate food beyond bread and soft drinks.

One resident, who lost 14 family members, lamented, “I have no one now.”

The Niger State governor has initiated demolitions in flood-prone areas to improve drainage systems. The Federal Government, attributing the disaster to climate change and unregulated construction, has faced criticism for inadequate preparedness despite NiMet’s flood warnings. Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Mokwa to console victims, and an NGO is collating data for better relief distribution.

Reports confirm that Niger State is burying 153 victims, with two more bodies recently recovered, raising concerns about disease outbreaks.

The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Ahmad Suleiman, confirmed over 200 corpses recovered, emphasizing the scale of the tragedy.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered urgent repairs to the Mokwa Bridge to restore connectivity, with the Federal Ministry of Works tasked to act swiftly.

Experts note that climate change, poor drainage, and a blocked tributary of the River Dingi exacerbated the flooding, despite no water release from Kainji or Jebba dams.

Relief efforts continue, with Senator Sani Musa donating ₦50 million and food supplies, and UNICEF providing healthcare support, particularly for pregnant women. However, locals like Jibril Muregi, Mokwa’s local government chairman, stress that long-overdue flood-control infrastructure is critical to prevent future disasters.

As Mokwa grapples with loss and trauma, the nation watches a community in mourning, urging swift action to rebuild and protect against Nigeria’s worsening climate-driven floods.