In a tragic turn of events, the town of Mokwa in Niger State, Nigeria, has been submerged by a catastrophic flash flood, resulting in at least 151 confirmed deaths and leaving hundreds more missing. The disaster, which struck in the early hours of Thursday, May 29, 2025, was triggered by intense predawn rainfall and the collapse of a nearby dam, leading to widespread devastation.
The floodwaters engulfed Mokwa, a key agricultural hub located approximately 380 kilometres west of Abuja, submerging homes, markets, and critical infrastructure. Over 3,000 houses were affected, with 265 completely destroyed. Two major bridges and several roads were washed away, effectively isolating the town and hampering rescue and relief efforts.
Residents described scenes of chaos as the floodwaters rose rapidly, leaving little time for evacuation. Many were forced to climb onto rooftops or cling to trees to escape the deluge. Local emergency services have been working tirelessly to search for survivors and recover bodies, but the scale of the devastation has made these efforts extremely difficult.
The disaster has displaced more than 3,000 people, many of whom are now in urgent need of shelter, food, and medical assistance. Temporary shelters have been set up in schools and other public buildings, but these are quickly becoming overcrowded, raising concerns about sanitation and the spread of diseases.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed his condolences to the victims and has directed the activation of emergency response measures to support those affected. He assured Nigerians that relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay.
Local leaders and residents have highlighted the urgent need for improved flood-control infrastructure to prevent such disasters in the future. The chairman of Mokwa Local Government Area, Jibril Muregi, emphasised that the construction of flood-control works is long overdue.
Experts have pointed to climate change as a major contributor to the increasing frequency and severity of such flooding events. Erratic weather patterns, marked by prolonged dry spells followed by intense rainfall—have made regions like Mokwa especially vulnerable to flash floods.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency teams continuing to search for the missing and provide aid to survivors. The full extent of the disaster is still unfolding, and authorities have warned that the death toll may rise as more areas become accessible.
This tragic event is a solemn reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive disaster preparedness and climate adaptation strategies to protect vulnerable communities in Nigeria and across the region.
Ubong Usoro for Nigeria Magazine
