At least 117 people have been confirmed dead following devastating flash floods that submerged dozens of communities in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, TJ News Nigeria gathered. The death toll is feared to rise as rescue operations continue across the affected areas.
Disaster Strikes After Heavy Downpour
Torrential rains late Wednesday triggered sudden floods that overwhelmed residential settlements and washed many into the River Niger. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed, but the scale of destruction has hindered rapid recovery efforts.
“We have so far recovered 115 bodies and more are expected,” said Ibrahim Audu Husseini, spokesman for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA). “Bodies are still being pulled from the water downstream and from the debris of collapsed structures.”
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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had earlier warned of likely flash floods in 15 states, including Niger, but few anticipated the sheer magnitude of destruction that unfolded in Mokwa.
Entire Families Swept Away
Reports emerging from the scene detail harrowing accounts of families decimated by the floodwaters. One family of 12 reportedly had only four members accounted for, according to emergency officials. In many cases, victims were swept far downstream or buried under debris.
“Some bodies were recovered from the rubble of collapsed homes. We need excavators to reach others still trapped underneath,” Husseini added.
Despair in the Aftermath
An AFP journalist on the ground in Mokwa described scenes of grief and devastation. Displaced children waded through contaminated floodwaters while residents searched through wreckage in hopes of locating missing relatives. Some victims lay under makeshift coverings, as communities lacked proper emergency medical support.
Mohammed Tanko, a 29-year-old civil servant, pointed to the ruins of his childhood home. “We lost at least 15 people here. The house is gone. Everything is gone,” he said with grief-stricken eyes.
Danjuma Shaba, a local fisherman, told reporters he was sleeping in a car park after losing his home. “I don’t have a house to sleep in. My house has already collapsed,” he said.
A Recurring Nightmare Fueled by Climate and Poor Planning
Nigeria is no stranger to seasonal floods, but experts say worsening climate conditions and poor infrastructure have increased the risk and impact.
Flooding is often worsened by:
- Inadequate drainage systems
- Poor urban planning and construction along waterways
- Indiscriminate dumping of waste into water channels
Climate experts warn that Nigeria is now experiencing more intense rainfall patterns due to global climate change, while urban sprawl and blocked drainage systems exacerbate flooding risks.
Flood Warnings Ignored?
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had warned of heavy rains and flash floods in several states between Wednesday and Friday, including Niger, Lagos, Delta, and Anambra. However, these warnings often go unheeded due to lack of enforcement, poor emergency preparedness, and limited community awareness.
In 2024 alone, over 1,200 lives were lost and 1.2 million displaced across 31 states in Nigeria due to severe flooding, TJ News Nigeria learnt from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) data.
This year’s tragedy in Mokwa may prove to be one of Nigeria’s deadliest localized floods if the death toll continues to climb.
Search-and-Rescue Continues
Search operations are still ongoing as emergency teams, local divers, and community volunteers comb through debris and waterways. Authorities have called for urgent support from the federal government to provide relief materials, temporary shelters, and mobile clinics for displaced families.
Call for Urgent Action
Environmental advocates and disaster management professionals are now calling for:
- Nationwide investment in climate-resilient infrastructure
- Strict enforcement of zoning laws to prevent building on floodplains
- Community-based disaster awareness campaigns
- Proper funding for emergency response units
As rains continue across the country, more states may face similar disasters in the weeks to come unless proactive steps are taken.
Reporting by TJ News Nigeria | Additional reporting by AFP
Edited by Omajemite Don
