MOKWA, NIGER STATE — A deadly midnight flood swept through parts of Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State on Tuesday night, claiming at least 21 lives and leaving dozens missing, following hours of intense rainfall that overwhelmed residential areas and stranded commuters.
According to eyewitnesses, the sudden deluge submerged over 50 houses, primarily in the Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa communities, catching many residents unprepared in their sleep. The floodwaters also trapped several vehicles, including commercial buses, private cars, and trucks, as desperate drivers and passengers struggled to navigate the rising waters.
As of Wednesday afternoon, emergency officials confirmed the recovery of 21 bodies, including those of a woman and her two children. Search and rescue operations, led by the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) in collaboration with the Mokwa Local Government Authority and local volunteers, are ongoing to locate the missing.
Three survivors — a woman and her two children — were rescued and are currently receiving treatment at the Mokwa General Hospital for injuries and shock.
In a statement issued by NSEMA Director General, the agency described the rainfall as “a torrential downpour of very high intensity” that lasted several hours, causing widespread destruction across the affected areas.
“The surging floodwaters submerged and washed away over 50 residential houses with their occupants,” the statement read. “Rescue efforts are ongoing, and we are doing everything within our capacity to save lives and provide support for displaced residents.”
Residents have called for urgent intervention to improve flood control systems in the region, as climate change and poor drainage infrastructure continue to increase the frequency and impact of flooding incidents across parts of Nigeria.
This latest tragedy adds to the growing toll of flood-related disasters in the country, highlighting the urgent need for stronger preventive measures and emergency preparedness.
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