The death toll from the devastating flood that swept through three villages in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State has risen to 115, with more bodies recovered as search and rescue efforts continue.
The flood, which occurred on Wednesday night, left a trail of destruction in its wake, displacing hundreds of families and causing severe damage to property and infrastructure. According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), over 150 people sustained various degrees of injuries, while more than 200 homes were either damaged or completely washed away.
Local divers, volunteers, and emergency officials are still combing through debris in a desperate search for missing persons and possible survivors. The cause of the flood remains unclear, with residents describing it as sudden and unlike anything witnessed before.
A landmark hundred-year-old tree in Mokwa town was uprooted by the force of the floodwaters, a symbol of the storm’s unprecedented strength. The disaster also destroyed the only makeshift bridge linking Mokwa to the southern part of the country, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded and cutting off a major transport route between the North and South.
In response, the Niger State Government has appealed to the Federal Government for urgent assistance, saying the scale of the disaster is beyond what the state can handle alone.
Jonathan Vatsa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Media Strategy, described the incident as the worst flood disaster the state has faced in recent times.
“This is beyond what we can handle. The destruction is massive. People have lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their loved ones. We are calling on the Federal Government and all relevant agencies to step in immediately,” Vatsa said in a statement on Friday.
Deputy Governor of the state, Comrade Yakubu Garba, visited the affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment. Visibly shaken by the level of destruction, he described the situation as “unimaginable” and assured residents that the state government is doing everything possible to provide support.
He ordered the evacuation of severely injured victims to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida for urgent medical care and appealed to residents to remain calm as emergency operations continue.
Garba also praised the efforts of the local divers and emergency workers, urging them to keep up the momentum in the search for survivors.
Meanwhile, relief efforts have begun in the form of temporary shelters, food, and basic medical supplies, though residents say more support is urgently needed.
The Mokwa flood has brought renewed attention to the vulnerability of many Nigerian communities to natural disasters and the urgent need for investment in proper drainage, early warning systems, and resilient infrastructure.
As the search for missing persons continues, the people of Mokwa are left to mourn their losses while hoping that help from Abuja arrives swiftly.
