At least 111 people have been confirmed dead in Niger flood that devastated Mokwa, a major business town and transport hub in north-central Nigeria.
The Niger flood disaster was triggered by heavy rainfall and the collapse of a local dam, which caused water to flood homes, roads, and farmlands. Emergency officials say the number of dead could rise as search and rescue efforts continue.
The floods hit Mokwa on Thursday, leaving behind scenes of widespread destruction. Streets became rivers, homes were submerged, and families were left searching for missing relatives.
Ibrahim Audu Hussaini, spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, said on Friday, “More bodies have just been brought and are yet to be counted, but we have at least 111 confirmed already.”
Mokwa, located around 220 kilometers from Abuja, is a busy trading town that connects farmers in northern Nigeria to markets in the south. The floods not only took lives but also damaged critical transport and food supply routes, disrupting economic activities in the region.
Local government officials lamented that the Niger flood was made worse by poor infrastructure and a lack of proper drainage systems.
Jibril Muregi, chairman of Mokwa Local Government Area, said, “The dam collapsed and water came into the town, which is a lowland, and flooded the whole place.” He also noted that more than 100 houses were destroyed and many residents remain unaccounted for.
Flooding is a regular threat during Nigeria’s rainy season, which runs from May to September. However, recent years have seen a rise in extreme weather events linked to climate change. In 2022, floods killed more than 600 people and displaced over a million nationwide.
The Niger State government has deployed emergency response teams to assist survivors and assess the full scale of the damage. Many residents have been forced to take shelter in schools and public buildings as they await support.
Before the Niger flood, in April, Pan-Atlantic Kompass had report that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) warned that 1,249 communities across 176 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 30 states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at the risk of heavy flood water this year.
Niger state was among the states earlier warned as locals are urging the federal government to invest in better flood prevention measures, including reinforced dams and proper urban planning, to prevent future disasters of this scale.
