MOKWA, Nigeria — The death toll from the devastating flood that swept through three villages in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, has climbed to 115, with over 150 persons injured and more victims feared missing.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the updated figures on Friday, May 30, 2025, as rescue teams, including local divers and emergency personnel, continued to comb through debris in search of survivors and bodies.
The flood, which struck with little warning, caused widespread devastation, destroying over 200 homes and sweeping away properties and infrastructure.
Residents described the deluge as unlike anything they had seen before, with a century-old tree uprooted in Mokwa town and the town’s only makeshift bridge washed away.
The destroyed bridge serves as a crucial link between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions. Its collapse has left hundreds of commuters stranded in Mokwa since the incident.
In response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis, the Niger State Government has made an urgent appeal to the Federal Government for immediate intervention and relief.
In a statement issued by Jonathan Vatsa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Media Strategy, the state government acknowledged the scale of the disaster is beyond what it can manage alone.
“This is the highest flood disaster that has occurred in the state in recent times.
The destruction is huge, and this is beyond what the state government can handle. That is why we are appealing to the federal government to immediately come to our aid,” the statement read.
Vatsa also noted that all vehicular movement between the North and South of the country has been paralysed due to the damaged bridge, exacerbating the economic and logistical impact of the flood.
Deputy Governor Comrade Yakubu Garba, accompanied by top government officials, visited the affected areas on Friday, May 30, 2025, to assess the damage firsthand.
Describing the scale of the disaster as “unimaginable,” Garba expressed deep concern over the suffering of residents and pledged that the state government would do everything possible to support those affected.
He ordered the evacuation of severely injured victims to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida for advanced treatment and called for calm among residents as rescue and relief efforts continue.
“We will not leave our people to suffer alone,” Garba said.
“We are mobilising all available resources and working with emergency agencies to bring immediate relief and support.”
Local residents remain baffled by the cause of the flood, which occurred without prior rainfall or a known upstream release of water.
Environmental experts have yet to determine whether the disaster was the result of a dam failure, underground water surge, or another cause.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and relevant hydrological bodies are expected to begin investigations in the coming days.
In the meantime, the state government is calling on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross, and other humanitarian organisations to deliver food, shelter, and medical supplies to the displaced population.
