Mokwa, Niger State, Nigeria — More than 100 people have been confirmed dead following a catastrophic flood that swept through Mokwa, a major market town in Niger State, after hours of torrential rainfall.
According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the death toll had risen to 115 by Friday afternoon, with many children among the victims. The figure is expected to increase as rescue efforts continue and more bodies are recovered.
“This is a tragic moment for us,” said Ibrahim Hussaini, spokesperson for NSEMA. “Our teams are still searching through the debris. Sadly, we expect the numbers to rise.”
The flooding occurred in the Kpege neighborhood of Mokwa during the early hours of Thursday when most residents were still asleep, according to an earlier statement by Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Entire households were caught unaware as waters surged through the area, submerging buildings and sweeping away structures.
The Niger State Government described the incident as “saddening, heartbreaking, and pathetic,” confirming that two communities within Mokwa town were worst hit after hours of unrelenting downpour.
“This deadly flood disaster has led to the loss of many lives and properties. We are deeply pained by the scale of destruction,” the state government noted in its official statement.
Northern Nigeria has a long history of seasonal flooding, particularly during the rainy season. However, recent years have seen an increase in the severity and frequency of such disasters.
In 2023, prolonged flooding across the region claimed more than 200 lives and displaced over 386,000 people, according to NEMA. The country also witnessed one of its worst natural disasters in 2022, when historic floods killed more than 600 people nationwide and displaced over 1 million residents.
As search-and-rescue efforts continue in Mokwa, local authorities have urged residents in low-lying areas to relocate to safer grounds. Relief materials and emergency support are being coordinated, while the government promises an investigation into long-term solutions to the region’s recurrent flood problem.
Niger State officials are also calling for urgent federal intervention, emphasizing the need for improved flood control infrastructure, early warning systems, and climate-resilient urban planning.