By Ibrahim Kegbegbe | Niger State, Nigeria
A catastrophic flood has claimed the lives of more than 200 people in Mokwa, Niger State, following relentless rainfall and the collapse of a nearby dam in the early hours of Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The incident, which emergency officials have described as one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent Nigerian history, has left the nation reeling in grief and disbelief.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), over 3,000 residents have been displaced, more than 500 are still unaccounted for, and at least 121 people sustained serious injuries in the disaster that submerged large portions of the town.
“We woke up to the screams of our neighbours. Water was everywhere. People were on rooftops, crying for help. I have lost my entire family,” said 42-year-old Musa Abdullahi, a trader and resident of Mokwa, struggling to hold back tears while speaking with journalists.
The flood was triggered by intense, pre-dawn rainfall which overwhelmed the weakened embankments of a decades-old dam, causing a rapid release of water that swept through communities, farmlands, roads, and markets with little warning.
READ ALSO:NNPP Chieftain, Ambassador Ajadi Mourns Kano Athletes, Sends Condolences to Governor Yusuf
Two major bridges linking Mokwa to other parts of Niger State collapsed under the force of the water, while critical roads were washed away, hampering early rescue efforts. Rescue teams, aided by volunteers and local vigilante groups, are still recovering bodies from the debris-strewn waters and collapsed homes.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, who visited the affected area on Thursday, described the tragedy as “a national disaster that demands urgent intervention and reflection.” He called on the federal government to fast-track the construction of flood control systems in the state.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has since activated the National Emergency Response Centre, directing federal agencies to deploy immediate relief supplies, medical teams, and temporary shelters for the displaced. In a statement from the presidency, Tinubu offered condolences to the bereaved families and promised long-term support for rebuilding efforts.
Despite these assurances, anger is mounting among residents who say the disaster was avoidable. “We have cried for years about this dam and our vulnerability during the rainy season. Nothing was done,” lamented Aisha Musa, a school teacher who lost her home and school building to the flood.
Environmental experts say climate change, poor urban planning, and aging infrastructure are key drivers behind the increasing frequency and severity of floods across Nigeria.
“This is a wake-up call,” said Dr. Ngozi Okeke, an environmental scientist at the University of Abuja. “We must stop treating climate disasters as isolated events. The loss in Mokwa is preventable if there had been long-term investment in early warning systems, flood mapping, and infrastructure upgrades.”
As relief efforts continue, aid organizations are appealing for food, clean water, medical supplies, and shelter for thousands now camped in temporary locations. Children, the elderly, and pregnant women are among the most vulnerable in makeshift shelters.
The Mokwa flood has not only left behind a trail of destruction but also exposed Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and the painful consequences of administrative neglect.
READ ALSO:BREAKING: Blood on the Tracks: Tragedy Claims 21 Kano Athletes on Journey Back from Abeokuta
For now, a community mourns. The cries of the living echo through the ruins—an agonizing reminder that nature’s fury often meets humanity’s unpreparedness.
