The death toll from the devastating floods that submerged Mokwa, a market town in Niger State, Nigeria, has risen to at least 117, according to emergency officials. The disaster, triggered by torrential rains and exacerbated by the collapse of a nearby dam, has left many residents missing and destroyed thousands of homes.
The flooding began on May 28, 2025, after several hours of heavy rainfall inundated the town and surrounding areas. The Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa districts were among the worst affected, with homes and vehicles washed away, and residents swept into the Niger River. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to recover bodies and assist survivors, with excavators deployed to remove debris and retrieve those trapped beneath.
Mokwa, located approximately 220 kilometres west of Abuja, serves as a vital trading hub connecting northern food producers with southern markets. The town’s strategic importance has made the impact of the flooding particularly devastating, disrupting commerce and displacing thousands of residents.
Local authorities have cited poor infrastructure as a contributing factor to the disaster’s severity. The chairman of Mokwa Local Government Area, Jibril Muregi, has called on the government to implement long-overdue climate resilience measures, including the construction of proper waterways, to prevent future occurrences.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had issued warnings of potential flash floods in Niger State and other regions before the incident. However, the scale of the Mokwa disaster has underscored the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and infrastructure development.
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