At least 115 people have been confirmed dead following a devastating overnight flood that swept through the Kpege area of Mokwa in Niger State late Wednesday, submerging homes, collapsing structures, and displacing hundreds.
Among the victims was a single household that lost 17 members, amplifying the scale of the human tragedy. The flood, triggered by a heavy downpour late Wednesday night, caught residents off-guard as they prepared for daily activities early Thursday morning.
Survivors have described scenes of chaos, despair, and sudden destruction as their homes were overwhelmed by rapidly rising waters.
“I lost 17 members of my household to the flood disaster that happened on Thursday morning,” said Anas Usman, one of the victims.
“We were preparing to go to the farm in the morning when our house was suddenly submerged. We didn’t know where the flood came from. The flood submerged our house, causing it to collapse. We lost children, women, and men who were our family members.”
The scale of the disaster prompted an immediate response from local and federal emergency agencies. Niger State Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba visited the site on Thursday for an on-the-spot assessment, representing Governor Umaru Bago.
He confirmed the staggering death toll and pledged that the state would support affected residents.
“I have been briefed by officials from NEMA and NSEMA, who have been on ground since the incident occurred. Over 100 people have lost their lives, and some are yet to be buried as search and rescue operations continue,” Garba said.
Addressing displaced residents at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Garba urged patience and resilience.
He assured the victims that relief materials had arrived from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and would be distributed through local authorities.
NEMA Director-General Mrs. Zubaida Umar confirmed the official death toll in a statement issued Friday, based on assessments carried out by the agency’s team on the ground.
“Based on an on-site assessment conducted Friday, 30th May 2025, by the NEMA team, no fewer than 115 bodies have so far been recovered as search and rescue operations continue,” Umar said.
“Injured persons evacuated to various health centres in Mokwa have been treated and discharged, while some received immediate first aid at the scene.”
She added that NEMA, in collaboration with the Red Cross and the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), was coordinating rescue efforts and delivering relief items, including rice, blankets, and sleeping mats, to displaced families.
While the full extent of property damage is still being assessed, the loss of human life has cast a long shadow over the community. Residents, many of whom have been left homeless, are now seeking shelter in emergency camps, awaiting aid and the opportunity to rebuild.
As rescue workers continue their search amid the debris and floodwaters, the people of Mokwa are left grappling with grief and uncertainty, hoping that the worst has passed.
