Death Toll from Major Floods in Central Nigeria Rises to 110
Mokwa, Niger State, May 30, 2025 – The death toll from devastating floods in Mokwa, a key market town in central Nigeria’s Niger State, has risen to at least 110 people, according to officials and rescue teams. Torrential rains that lasted several hours on Wednesday night triggered flash floods that swept away more than 50 homes, leaving many residents missing and causing widespread destruction.
Details of the Disaster
The floods were worsened by the collapse of a nearby dam, which released a surge of water into the town. The heavy rainfall inundated the districts of Tiffin Maza and Angwan Hausawa in Mokwa, which were the most severely affected areas. Muhammad Shaba Aliyu, the District Head of Mokwa, described the event as the worst flooding in over 60 years and appealed for government assistance.
Husseini Isah, head of operations for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed to the BBC that the floodwaters engulfed and swept away more than 50 residential buildings with people inside. Rescue operations are ongoing, with many individuals still unaccounted for.
Humanitarian Impact
- Over 110 people have died, with many more missing.
- Hundreds of families have been displaced, seeking shelter in schools, mosques, and public buildings.
- Three individuals—a woman and her two children—have been rescued and are receiving medical treatment for injuries and shock at Mokwa General Hospital.
- The flooding has destroyed shops, homes, farms, and critical infrastructure, disrupting the livelihoods of traders and farmers who rely on Mokwa as a commercial hub connecting southern and northern Nigeria.
Response and Rescue Efforts
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has activated its Minna Operations Office and deployed search and rescue teams, mobile intensive care ambulances, rapid intervention vehicles, and mobile water treatment equipment to support ongoing operations. Local volunteers, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Red Cross, and security agencies including military units from nearby Kainji have joined the rescue and relief efforts.
Authorities have urged residents in the vicinity to remain vigilant and report any emergencies. A comprehensive assessment of the damage is underway to guide recovery and mitigation planning.
Government and Community Reactions
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum described the flood as “shocking and devastating,” expressing solidarity with the people of Niger State and commiserating with affected families. The forum emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change impacts and strengthening disaster response mechanisms.
District Head Muhammad Shaba Aliyu called on the government to provide urgent assistance, noting that such a flood had not been experienced in the community for over six decades.
Context
This flood marks the onset of Nigeria’s rainy season, which has previously caused significant fatalities and displacement. In 2024, northern Nigeria experienced widespread flooding that resulted in deaths and destruction. The country also endured catastrophic floods in 2022, displacing approximately 1.3 million people and causing over 600 deaths.
