MOKWA, Nigeria — The death toll from the devastating flood that swept through Mokwa in Niger State has surged to nearly 200, with more than 1,000 people still unaccounted for, according to state authorities.
Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba revealed the grim figures on Saturday, May 31, 2025, while receiving Peter Obi, former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, who visited the Government House in Minna to commiserate with the state over the tragedy.
Garba described the flood as “one of the most tragic disasters in the state’s recent history,” saying that entire communities had been submerged, thousands displaced, and critical infrastructure decimated.
“The number of bodies recovered continues to rise hourly as families desperately search for missing loved ones,” he said.
He added that more than 3,000 residents had been forced from their homes, and over 2,000 houses were either damaged or entirely destroyed by the floodwaters.
“In our time, you will see that number continue scaling up,” Garba stated.
“The dead that have been seen—physically dead—are almost close to 200 now.”
He further noted that house-to-house reviews indicated that more than 1,000 people remained missing, with fears many were swept away by the surging waters.
“Based on the households, the number of people that are yet to be seen is more than 1,000,” he said.
The flood, triggered by days of intense rainfall, also destroyed key infrastructure in the area, including bridges and roads, further complicating rescue and relief efforts.
Niger State authorities have yet to release a formal request for federal disaster assistance, but local rescue workers continue to search for survivors and retrieve bodies amid challenging terrain and poor access routes.
Relief agencies and humanitarian groups are being mobilised to support the affected communities.
