Mokwa flood kills 100, dozens still missing

A deadly flood has devastated Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State, killing over 100 residents.

Authorities confirmed that more than 100 people are still missing as search operations continue in the affected communities.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night during a prolonged torrential rainfall that lasted several hours.

Floodwaters swept through homes, schools, and streets, destroying properties and displacing hundreds.

On Friday, no fewer than 44 victims were buried by grieving family members.

This followed the earlier burial of 31 persons recovered earlier in the week.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as terrifying and beyond what they had ever witnessed before.

The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, confirmed the casualty figures during his visit to Mokwa.

Garba stated that over 100 people had died and several others were still unaccounted for.

He said emergency agencies, including NEMA and NSEMA, were on the ground for rescue operations.

Garba encouraged affected residents to remain calm as government efforts were ongoing.

He announced that relief materials from NEMA had been received and handed over to local authorities.

These materials are expected to be distributed to victims soon.

‘We buried 40 corpses today alone’ – Residents lament

A classroom teacher, Alhassan Kolo, said the community buried over 40 corpses on Friday.

He noted that the numbers excluded uncounted Almajirai (Qur’anic pupils) still missing.

Kolo said many Islamic scholars and poor families lived in the worst-hit areas.

He described the disaster as unimaginable and the worst flood in their history.

According to him, several corpses remained trapped under collapsed homes.

He explained that the community was overwhelmed and lacked enough support.

A victim, Anas Usman, narrated how 17 of his family members died in the incident.

He said they were preparing for farm work when their house was suddenly submerged.

Usman said the flood collapsed their home, killing children, women, and men in his family.

He added that they had no idea where the floodwaters came from.

Salihu Ishaq, another resident, shared that his sister and her three children were swept away.

He said their bodies had yet to be found days after the disaster.

Ishaq stated that Mokwa residents had never experienced such large-scale destruction.

He noted that more than 100 people were still missing as at Friday.

According to him, over 50 houses were washed away by the surging water.

He said many survivors were now sheltering in classrooms and neighbours’ homes.

Federal Government moves to intervene

Director-General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, said over 50 buildings were destroyed in Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa.

He said the flood followed hours of non-stop rainfall that overwhelmed the two communities.

Baba-Arah added that search and rescue teams had recovered 21 corpses so far.

He said 10 people were still missing and three injured victims were receiving treatment.

Local divers and volunteers joined the rescue efforts to recover victims from the debris.

Jonathan Vatsa, media aide to Governor Bago, said the flood cut off the Ilorin-Mokwa road.

He described the event as a tragedy that had plunged the entire state into mourning.

Vatsa confirmed that the Tatabu Bridge had collapsed, affecting movement between the North and South-West.

He urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene, saying the situation was beyond the state’s capacity.

He explained that a full report was still being compiled by officials on the ground.

According to him, this was a natural disaster that no one could have predicted.

Vatsa noted that similar devastating floods had occurred across northern Nigeria in previous years.

He reminded Nigerians that in 2022, over 600 lives were lost due to floods nationwide.

Tinubu orders intensified response efforts

President Bola Tinubu has directed NEMA and the military to intensify rescue operations in affected areas.

Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, disclosed the directive in a statement on Friday.

He said President Tinubu was fully briefed and deeply concerned about the loss of lives.

The President stressed the need for immediate rescue and relief to survivors.

Idris noted that joint operations with the Armed Forces and Niger State Government were ongoing.

The Federal Government thanked first responders and volunteers for their courageous actions.

The government also appealed to residents to obey evacuation instructions and cooperate with rescue teams.

“Our thoughts are with the grieving families and all affected,” the statement read.

“The nation mourns with Niger State and the people of Mokwa,” Idris added.

As rescue work continues, hundreds remain displaced and stranded.

Communities are now depending on government support and donor assistance to survive.

Residents say they are still recovering bodies from debris and collapsed structures.

The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined, but the toll is rising daily.

Local leaders and community members are calling for long-term solutions to prevent future disasters.

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