Mokwa flood leaves 207 dead, over 700 missing as survivors cry for aid

Summary

• Devastating flash flood in Niger State claims over 200 lives, leaves more than 700 missing
• Over 3,000 displaced, critical infrastructure including bridges and farms destroyed
• Relief efforts underway amid criticism, fears grow over dam failure and poor preparedness

Minna, Niger State — A catastrophic flash flood that struck Mokwa, a market town in Niger State, Nigeria, on May 28, 2025, has left at least 207 confirmed dead, with over 700 people still missing, according to state officials.

The flood, triggered by torrential rainfall and possibly worsened by an unconfirmed dam collapse, caused widespread destruction across the Tiffin Maza, Anguwan Hausawa, and Raba districts.

The disaster, described by Governor Umaru Bago as a “national calamity,” displaced over 3,000 households, destroyed 400 homes, and led to the collapse of key infrastructure, including the Mokwa bridge, cutting off access to several communities. Agricultural devastation was also severe, with over 10,000 hectares of cropland wiped out, threatening food security in the region.

Emergency relief operations are being coordinated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigerian Red Cross, and local volunteers.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered federal intervention, while donations have come from institutions like Veritas University and individuals including Senator Sani Musa, who gave ₦50 million in support. Affected families are expected to receive at least ₦1 million each in state aid.

Despite ongoing efforts, survivors have expressed frustration over inadequate support and poor infrastructure planning. Some bodies have been recovered downstream, and there are fears of cholera and typhoid outbreaks due to decomposing bodies trapped under debris.

Eyewitnesses like Adamu Yusuf, who lost his wife and newborn, and Ramat Sulaiman, who reported the deaths of 100 children from a Quranic school, underscore the deep personal and communal toll of the disaster.

Experts attribute the flood’s severity to a mix of climate change, deforestation, poor drainage, and unregulated construction, warning that without urgent reforms in urban planning and dam safety, similar tragedies will continue to recur.