Devastating Flood Claims Lives In Mokwa, Niger State.
A catastrophic flood has wreaked havoc in Mokwa town, the administrative centre of Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State, Nigeria, claiming numerous lives and causing widespread destruction. The disaster, triggered by a torrential downpour on Wednesday night, 28 May 2025, has left the community reeling, with reports of significant loss of life and property.
According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the flooding struck the communities of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa, submerging over 50 residential homes and sweeping away occupants in the early hours of Thursday, 29 May 2025. The agency’s Director General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed that at least 21 bodies have been recovered, with more than 10 individuals still unaccounted for as search and rescue operations continue. Three survivors—a woman and her two children—were rescued and are receiving treatment for injuries and shock at Mokwa General Hospital.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as floodwaters surged through the town, submerging homes and farmland. Mohammed Usman, a local resident, recounted the horror of seeing bodies recovered from the water, with many households still missing. “The water came so fast, people were asleep. Entire homes were washed away,” he said.
The heavy rainfall, which lasted several hours, also severed the major road linking northern and southern Nigeria through Mokwa, severely hampering rescue efforts and isolating communities. Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed, leaving countless families displaced and grieving.
NSEMA, in collaboration with the Mokwa Local Government Authority, local divers, and volunteers, has launched intensive search and rescue operations to locate survivors and recover additional bodies. The agency is also assessing the full extent of the damage, with a comprehensive report expected soon. Dr Ibrahim Audu Hussaini, NSEMA’s Director of Information and Special Duties, assured the public that emergency services are working tirelessly to provide relief to affected families.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed his condolences, describing the incident as “saddening, heartbreaking, and pathetic.” In a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor urged residents to remain calm, promising that the state government would work to ensure the safety and support of those affected.
Speculation among locals suggests that the flooding may be linked to the release of water from the Kainji Dam, though this has not been officially confirmed. The disaster comes amid warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) about increased risks of heavy rainfall and flash floods across several states.
This tragedy follows earlier flooding in April 2025, attributed to water released from the Jebba Dam, which affected over 5,000 farmers and destroyed 10,000 hectares of paddy farms in the Mokwa region. The recurring nature of these floods has raised concerns about the region’s vulnerability and the need for improved flood management measures.
As rescue efforts continue, the people of Mokwa are calling for urgent intervention from both state and federal authorities to provide relief materials and long-term support to rebuild their devastated communities.