OVER 100 people have died in devastating flash floods that struck Mokwa and surrounding areas in Niger State, following heavy rains late Wednesday night.
Rescue teams are still searching for missing residents, with the number of casualties expected to rise.
As of today, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency reported that 115 bodies had been recovered.
According to agency spokesperson Ibrahim Audu Husseini, some victims were swept into the River Niger from distant areas, and more bodies are likely to be found downstream.
“We are still recovering bodies, including some trapped in the debris of collapsed homes,” he added, noting that excavators may be needed for further recovery efforts.
A preliminary death toll of 88 had earlier been provided by Hussaini Isah, an official coordinating the rescue mission.
Emergency workers and local residents continue to comb through the wreckage, as floodwaters persist in some parts of the area.
The floods have left many residents displaced and grieving. One survivor, Mohammed Tanko, described losing 15 family members and his home.
Another, fisherman Danjuma Shaba, said he has been sleeping in a car park after his house collapsed. Children were seen playing in contaminated floodwaters, raising concerns about the spread of waterborne diseases.
Nigeria’s rainy season has only just begun, but flooding—aggravated by poor drainage systems, building on waterways, and indiscriminate dumping of waste—remains a recurring and deadly problem. Climate change is also contributing to the severity of such weather events.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had earlier warned of potential flash floods in 15 states, including Niger, between Wednesday and Friday.
In 2024, the country experienced one of its deadliest flood seasons, with over 1,200 deaths and 1.2 million people displaced across 31 states.