A tragic flood incident has claimed the life of a 7-year-old boy, Mohammed Mohammed, in the Emiliman Nasarafu Ward 2 B of Bida Local Government Area, Niger State.
The flood followed a heavy downpour that lasted from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, devastating parts of the community and causing widespread panic.
Local eyewitnesses blame the tragedy on construction work being carried out by Arab Contractors, who are handling the Man Musa Kodogi/Nasarafu bypass road project.
According to one resident, the firm diverted a major drainage channel, unleashing a dangerous flow of water into residential and commercial areas.
“The diverted water destroyed homes and businesses,” said a witness who requested anonymity.
“It was too much for the community’s existing drainage to handle.”
Young Mohammed was reportedly sent on an errand shortly after the rain stopped but never made it back home.
His father, Mohammed Usman, confirmed the incident in an emotional interview.
“My son left the house after the rain to deliver a message,” Usman said.
“We believe he was swept away by the flood. We’ve searched, but we still haven’t found his body.”
Community members mounted a search and rescue effort immediately after the floodwaters receded, but there has been no trace of the boy’s remains as of press time.
“From Allah we come, and unto Him we shall return,” the grieving father added.
This is the second major flood in the area in just two weeks.
A previous incident on June 14, 2025, destroyed homes, bridges, and culverts. Residents also blamed that disaster on the same road construction activities.
Spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Hussaini Ibrahim, confirmed that officials are conducting an on-site impact assessment.
“The state government will act once the findings are complete,” he said.
Community members are now calling for urgent intervention and re-evaluation of construction methods being used in the area to prevent further tragedies.
