In the aftermath of catastrophic floods that hit Nigeria’s north-central Niger State, more than 700 residents from the Mokwa community remain missing, nearly three weeks after the incident. The scale of the disaster, which has caused significant loss of life and property, was confirmed by state authorities on Wednesday.
According to Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, at least 207 people have died due to the flooding. The disaster struck on May 29 following three consecutive days of intense rainfall that triggered widespread flooding in the Mokwa Local Government Area. The area serves as a crucial trade corridor, connecting agricultural producers in the north with markets in the south, and has been left devastated.
“This is one of the worst disasters our state has experienced in recent times,” Governor Bago stated. “We are still searching for over 700 missing persons, and the damage to lives and property is extensive.”
The floods have displaced more than 3,000 households, forcing families to abandon their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. The governor added that 283 houses and 50 commercial shops were completely destroyed, further disrupting livelihoods and local economic activity.
In response to the crisis, President Bola Tinubu directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and relevant security agencies to scale up search-and-rescue efforts in the affected communities. Relief operations are ongoing, but challenging conditions and access issues have slowed the pace of recovery.
To understand the underlying causes and extent of the damage, the Niger State government has collaborated with professional bodies to conduct a comprehensive assessment. The results of the investigation are expected to guide future mitigation strategies and infrastructural improvements to prevent similar disasters.
As recovery efforts continue, officials are appealing for national support and international assistance to help rebuild the affected communities and provide aid to those who have lost everything.