By A catastrophic flood has ravaged Mokwa town in Niger State, submerging properties worth millions of naira and claiming the lives of dozens of residents.
The disaster, which struck in the early hours of Thursday, is believed to have killed several people, with many others—including women and children—still missing.
The scene of the devastating flood
Eyewitness accounts from the Kpege neighbourhood, the worst-hit area, revealed that the flood struck around 3:00 a.m. while most residents were asleep, leaving them little time to react.
Entire homes were swept away, and survivors say several bodies have already been recovered, though the full scale of the tragedy is yet to be officially confirmed.
Mohammed Usman, a resident who narrowly escaped the disaster, described the scene as “apocalyptic,” stating that many victims were trapped in submerged buildings while others were carried away by the raging waters.
In the wake of the devastation, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) issued a press statement, signed by Zubaida Umar
Director General, detailing the response efforts:
“A flood disaster triggered by intense rainfall hit the Kpege neighbourhood of Mokwa town in the early morning hours of 29th May 2025. Search and rescue operations are currently being led by emergency volunteers from Mokwa Local Government, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the Nigeria Red Cross, with assistance from local residents.
“Rescued persons are being given immediate first aid and evacuated to hospitals. In response, NEMA has activated its Minna Operations Office to deploy search and rescue officers, along with mobile support equipment.
“Additionally, a specialised team led by the Director of Search and Rescue has been dispatched from NEMA headquarters in Abuja, equipped with a Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance, Rapid Intervention Vehicles, and Mobile Water Treatment equipment.
“The military’s Disaster Response Units from the nearby Kainji formation have also been contacted to assist.
“The operation’s main priorities are the rescue of survivors, evacuation of the injured and deceased, provision of food, water, temporary shelter, sanitation, and security, as well as the restoration of normalcy.
“Residents are advised to remain vigilant and report any emergencies to the relevant authorities. A comprehensive assessment will follow to inform recovery and reconstruction plans.”
The community of Mokwa is currently grappling with mass displacement, and survivors are calling for urgent intervention from both the state and federal governments.
Many of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) are in dire need of food, clean water, medical care, and shelter.
As rescue and relief efforts intensify, humanitarian organisations and concerned citizens are urged to provide support.
The flood, described as one of the worst natural disasters to hit Niger State in recent times, has underscored the urgent need for improved flood management, early warning systems, and climate resilience infrastructure in vulnerable communities across Nigeria.
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