The torrential rains of Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Niger state leaves on its trail severe flooding caused by poor drainage system in the Mokwa axis of the state, which resulted in the death of over 200 persons, destruction of numerous residential buildings and displacement of over 13,000 people
By Udoka Ekeleme, Abuja
The rain was unpredictable. Its torrents came with rapid intensity, drumming hard on the roof tops of every house in the Mokwa town of Niger state. Many indigenes of Mokwa town could not imagine the magnitude, duration and the intensity of the unusual downpour on that fateful day. Thus, within few minutes of the change in weather, the downpour started and lasted for several hours till dead in the night.
As the rain started falling steadily, it was thought by many to be the normal rainfall that comes with the middle of the year. However, at the end of the downpour, there were tales of catastrophe, doom and woes by the people of Mokwa who survived the unprecedented flooding with the capacity to feel the strongest edifices in the town. The rain took Mokwa indigenes by surprise and left destruction and deaths of monumental proportion by the time the flooding receded.
The high intensity of rain led to the collapse of walls and fences of houses, and all barriers that would have saved structures on the ground. The resultant flood came with fury, sweeping away everything on its way-men, women, children and animals along with makeshift houses, farm produce and all.
At last, when the flooding receded, it was reported that only 21 dead bodies were initially recovered. Incidentally, within the next one week, the death toll from the brutal flooding, rainstorm had swept away no less than 210 people dead and many propertieslost. Those who were lucky to be rescued sustained various degrees of injuries, and were either left in the hospital or internally displaced persons homes. No fewer than 5000 persons have so far been admitted in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps spread across the state.
Many family members are still missing many days after the deadly flooding. One of the survivors, Rabi Musa, told the media that she lost her husband and three children to the flood. According to her, “My husband was a teacher at Hakimi Aliyu School in Mokwa. I was breastfeeding my last child when the flood violently invaded our room. We immediately rushed out, with the baby in my hand and three of the other children in the room.
“My husband rushed back to the room in an attempt to rescue the three other children; but unfortunately, as he opened the door, the torrential rain swept him and the three children away. From a short distance, I looked at them helplessly as they were being carried off until I saw them no more”.
Interestingly, the tragic development has resulted in buying and selling and other commercial activities being kept on hold at the moment.
Mokwa town, which is the headquarters of Mokwa Local Government Council, and its environs, have been thrown into perpetual darkness. Life has become a nightmare in the city and the people have been exposed to untold hardship they never envisaged.
Electricity and running water, which had been epileptic in the area for the past years are now completely off, forcing some residents to resort to using generators to pump water from their boreholes to sell to the public.
Consequently, a bag of sachet water which was sold at N300 before the incident, now sells for between N400-N500, while those with generators and solar-powered electricity, also make brisk money from charging telephone for N200 for those who need their services.
Again, the Mokwa General Hospital has since been filled up with patients from the devastating flooding.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate activation of the National Emergency Response Centre in Mokwa.
The directive was issued early on Saturday, May 31, 2025 after the President received distressing reports on the scale of the disaster. In a statement released via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, @officialABAT, President Tinubu expressed profound grief over the incident and promised a swift and compassionate federal response to support the affected communities.
He said: “Upon receiving initial reports, I immediately directed the activation of the National Emergency Response Centre. I have also been briefed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on the scale of the disaster and the urgent humanitarian needs.”
The President confirmed that relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed to the disaster zone without delay.
Federal agencies, including NEMA, have been mobilised in coordination with the Niger State Government to intensify rescue efforts and provide life-saving aid.
“Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and all relevant federal agencies have been mobilised to support the state government’s efforts. We will ensure that no Nigerian affected by this disaster is left behind or unheard of”, Tinubu stated.
He further directed security agencies to support the emergency response teams, emphasizing the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that lives are saved and dignity restored in the wake of the disaster.
“I assure all those impacted that your government stands with you. We will continue to coordinate with the Niger State Government to ensure a swift, coordinated, and compassionate response, one that prioritises lives, restores dignity and accelerates recovery,” Tinubu said.
In the meantime, President Tinubu had on Wednesday, May 4, 2025, ordered the release of N2billion for the reconstruction of Mokwa town to serve as immediate resettlement of the victims. He also directed that 20 trucks of assorted food items be released and distributed to the affected victims of the flood.
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, disclosed this when he led a Federal Government delegation to commiserate with the government and people of Niger State over the tragic incident.
The President also directed the ministries of Environment and Agriculture to immediately commence reconstruction of drainages in Mokwa town.
Shettima said, “President Tinubu has directed me to come and represent him and asked me to tell you that his heart is with you and that government will do everything possible to ameliorate your sufferings.
“On my part, I will direct the immediate release of electricity transformers on my arrival in Abuja to replace the ones damaged in Mokwa town”.
