Death Toll in Niger State Flooding Rises Above 100 as Rescue Efforts Intensify

At least 117 people have been confirmed dead in devastating floods that swept through Mokwa town in Niger State following torrential rains and the collapse of a nearby dam.

Authorities warn that the death toll may continue to rise as rescue and recovery efforts continues.

The floods, which began on May 28, submerged large parts of the town, destroying over 3,000 homes, displacing thousands, and cutting off critical infrastructure.

The collapse of the dam unleashed a deluge that overwhelmed farmlands, washed away roads, and sent torrents of water through residential areas.

Emergency responders and volunteers are racing against time to locate missing residents. Bodies have been recovered downstream along the Niger River, raising concerns that many more may have been swept far from the town’s center.

“This is one of the most catastrophic flood events we’ve seen in recent history,” said a spokesperson from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency. “We are still counting the dead and working round the clock to rescue those trapped or missing.”

Local officials report that makeshift camps have been established to shelter displaced residents, while the Federal Government has pledged emergency relief. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended condolences to affected families and ordered immediate deployment of resources to support the victims.

The Mokwa tragedy has renewed urgent calls for improved flood management and climate resilience infrastructure across Nigeria. Experts have long warned that increasing rainfall intensity, worsened by climate change and unregulated development, is pushing vulnerable communities to the brink.

“This disaster is a wake-up call. We can no longer afford to treat flooding as a seasonal inconvenience. It is a national emergency that demands long-term structural solutions,” said environmental analyst Idris Okon.

With the rainy season just beginning, emergency services are bracing for more potential floods across the country. Meanwhile, citizens in affected areas are left counting their losses and searching for loved ones.