More than 150 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds more remain missing after a catastrophic flood swept through communities in Mokwa local government area (LGA) of Niger state on May 29.
The disaster, which has affected 503 households and displaced over 3,000 residents, has prompted a national emergency response and expressions of sympathy from government officials and humanitarian organisations.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it is working with partners to support local authorities in scaling up emergency health responses.
In a post on Monday, WHO said it is conducting a public health risk assessment to prevent outbreaks of epidemic-prone diseases and other health threats.
“186 people have been injured and 175 deaths reported, with over 13,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance and the possibility of more flash flooding,” the organisation said.
WHO added that it is preparing to send emergency medical supplies and equipment to support primary healthcare in the affected areas.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has also commenced the distribution of relief materials to victims.
The agency is working with community leaders to document those missing or deceased, with the aim of providing further assistance.
While some speculated that the flood might have been caused by the release or failure of nearby dams, the federal government has refuted such claims.
During a press briefing in Abuja, Joseph Utsev, minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, clarified that both the Kainji and Jebba dams “remain structurally sound and fully operational”.
“It is important to clarify that the flooding in Mokwa was not the result of any water release from the Kainji or Jebba dams,” he stated.
According to the minister, the flood was caused by heavy rainfall linked to climate change, which overwhelmed the town’s drainage infrastructure.
He cited unregulated construction and the blockage of a seasonal tributary of River Dingi as contributing factors.
Utsev also noted that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had earlier issued a warning about potential flooding in Mokwa as part of its 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) released in April. Niger was listed among 33 states identified as high flood-risk areas.
The minister described the disaster as “a stark reminder of the increasing impact of climate change,” and urged state and local governments to improve drainage systems, enforce land-use laws, and relocate at-risk communities.
He said technical personnel from the ministry, NIHSA, and other relevant agencies are currently on the ground conducting assessments.
President Bola Tinubu has also directed the federal ministry of works to repair the bridge in Mokwa that was washed away by the flood. Bello Goronyo, minister of state for works, conveyed the president’s message during a condolence visit to the community on Tuesday.
“In his directives, he said we should do everything possible to restore the access road for vehicular movement on the damaged bridge,” Goronyo said, noting that Mokwa is a vital link between northern and southern Nigeria.
Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed in the disaster, which residents and aid agencies say is one of the worst in recent memory.
Editorial1 year ago