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MOKWA, Nigeria – A tragic flood in Mokwa, Niger State, has claimed over 200 lives, prompting the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to dispatch officials to 15 high-risk states. These teams are on the ground to educate residents about impending floods and the urgent necessity of relocating from flood-prone areas.
NEMA officials noted that many victims of the recent disaster in Mokwa, Niger State, found themselves in gully areas and were taken by surprise despite prior warnings. Head of NEMA's Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, expressed concern that many victims of the May 23 flooding had built their homes in these vulnerable gully areas. The flood in Mokwa, a commercial center, resulted in over 200 fatalities, with many others still missing.
Ezekiel listed some of the targeted states as Kogi, Imo, Enugu, Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Zamfara, Katsina, and the Federal Capital Territory. He emphasized that even though Mokwa was identified as an 'at risk' local government area, the scale of the incident was unprecedented. "If you visit the site of the flooding, you’ll see homes built in a significant gully. Many communities inhabit such areas,” he stated.
Despite official warnings categorizing Niger State as 'at risk' but not 'high risk,' Ezekiel stressed that residents must remain vigilant. “This is why we urge people not to let their guard down, even in local government areas that were not marked as high risk. Just because the forecasting agency did not classify Mokwa LGA as a high-risk area does not mean anyone or any community can afford to relax. Everyone must stay alert and take necessary steps to prevent flooding in their locality.”
He explained that many victims living in gullies and other vulnerable areas were caught off-guard. “Naturally, they didn’t anticipate this,” he said. “However, when excessive rain occurs and the hydrological runoff cannot manage the ensuing water, the chance of a community being engulfed is very high. That’s precisely what happened.” Ezekiel acknowledged Nigeria has numerous at-risk areas, referencing the 2024 flooding in Maiduguri. “It happened last year in Maiduguri. No one expected the Alau Dam to break and cause such devastation. Every community must remain alert and take necessary precautions to prevent what befell Mokwa from affecting them,” he warned.
Broader Context and NEMA's Ongoing Efforts
The rainy season in Nigeria typically spans from April to October. Last Wednesday, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) forecasted heavy storms for Abuja and 14 other states, including Niger. Niger, the largest state in Nigeria by land area, houses three significant dams—Kainji, Jebba, and Shiroro—that play a vital role in the country’s electricity supply. A fourth dam is currently under construction.
Recently, Niger State has experienced frequent flooding, with water released from one of the dams in April damaging over 5,000 farms in 30 communities, including Mokwa. Reports indicated this was the sixth instance of flooding in the state so far this year. In 2022, flooding resulted in more than 600 deaths, displacing approximately 1.4 million people and destroying 440,000 hectares of farmland nationwide.
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to mitigate the flooding impact by collaborating with state governments and emergency agencies. Ezekiel disclosed that NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar arrived at the flooding site within 24 hours. “The NEMA DG visited less than a day after the incident to demonstrate the seriousness NEMA attached to what occurred,” Ezekiel remarked. “Our commitment to providing care and assistance is such that we activated our operations office, with the Director of Search and Rescue enhancing support at that site.” The DG’s activities at the flood site included efforts to raise awareness and prepare communities for handling floods.
The agency has ramped up its anti-flood advocacy across the nation, particularly to engage citizens who may not comprehend the anti-flooding message. “We dispatched anti-flood advocacy teams to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” Ezekiel stated. “We relayed messages, but many were unaware of the implications until our advocacy teams engaged with them directly about flooding issues. Therefore, we can assert that all hands on deck in cooperation with the states.” NEMA chose an in-person approach to “engage with the community and receive feedback from them,” especially since “in some of those areas, people are not yet aware of the problem.”
NEMA’s initiatives included training on emergency healthcare and evacuation strategies. “In some locations, we provided first aid kits and taught residents how to use them, as these are critical immediate requirements that may arise during a flood,” he affirmed. “We interact with the communities we visit, especially those identified as at risk. We advise them about evacuation strategies. Leaving comfortable homes can be challenging for people, but we emphasize the importance of early evacuation.”
During an advocacy session in Gombe, the deputy governor brought together local government chairmen and established emergency management committees to increase awareness within communities—an achievement Ezekiel described as significant. He noted their smooth collaboration with state agencies in the campaign, stating, “We do not operate autonomously when we reach the states; we ensure that state officials participate in the advocacy. State emergency management officials, along with stakeholders from relevant ministries such as Health, Transport, the Red Cross, civil defense, and the police are also brought into the process.”
Government and Stakeholder Perspectives
While Ezekiel praised the overwhelming collaboration between NEMA and state agencies, he also called for support from political figures. When discussing the flooding in Mokwa on Tuesday, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, denied claims that water released from Kainji and Jebba Dams triggered the flooding and subsequent deaths in the town.
He clarified this during a press conference in Abuja, attributing the cause instead to the local population’s failure to heed flood warnings. He expressed, saying, “The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation extends its sympathies to the Niger State Government and its people, especially the communities in Mokwa affected by this natural disaster.”
Utsev further stressed, “The flood was not caused by water released from either the Kainji or Jebba dams, as both dams are fully operational and secure. We commend the swift response efforts of the Niger State Government, local authorities, and first responders who have been diligently working to assist the victims. The flooding in Mokwa was mainly the result of heavy rain induced by extreme weather conditions associated with climate change—a rising global challenge—that overwhelmed local drainage systems. Furthermore, unregulated buildings and construction activities obstructed a temporary tributary of the River Dingi (a tributary of the Niger), which typically remains dry for most of the year. The absence of effective alternative pathways to divert excess water further exacerbated the flood’s impact on the communities.”
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) reported that the death toll has now risen to 160, although other reports indicated that over 200 corpses had been buried. The agency stated that the casualties included two children trapped under tree debris. The Director-General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, who authored the statement, said that the bodies recovered were confirmed by NEMA, the International Organisation for Migration, and the Red Cross. “Seven additional bodies have been retrieved from the Mokwa flood disaster—four on Monday evening and three on Tuesday morning and afternoon,” he reported.
In a related development, the League of Northern Democrats has called for compensation and assistance for the families of victims of the Mokwa flood disaster. The group urged the Federal Government to implement resettlement and rehabilitation plans, including the construction of affordable, subsidized housing for displaced families.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ladan Salihu, the group expressed the following: “The League of Northern Democrats appeals to the Federal Government to take additional actions to resettle and rehabilitate the victims of the Mokwa flood disaster. We also call on the government to consider humanitarian aid and support for victims and families who have lost loved ones, homes, or livelihoods, to help them recover and rebuild their lives.”
They continued, “We urge the government to prioritize relocating affected communities to higher ground and to work with the Federal Ministry of Works to build affordable, subsidized housing for those displaced. With over 700 Nigerians losing their lives in this flood disaster, we appeal to individuals of wealth, financial institutions, and corporate organizations to assist the victims of this massive calamity.”
Emphasizing the significant impact on numerous individuals, the League of Northern Democrats renewed their plea for the government, compassionate citizens, organizations, and institutions to assist the victims. The League’s statement also urged the Federal Government to move affected communities to safer locations and initiate the reconstruction of key infrastructure like roads and bridges to restore access and stimulate economic activity. “Moreover, the government must invest urgently in restoring key infrastructure, such as transportation networks, to enable access to the affected areas and to revive economic activities. They should also focus on flood control measures, including dam management and drainage systems, to mitigate future flooding risks. Public awareness campaigns should be initiated to educate residents in flood-prone areas about early warning indicators and preventive actions to minimize casualties and future incidents,” the statement read.
Prevention and Future Outlook
To avert further flooding, NEMA has intensified community engagements for disaster preparedness in Ekiti State. Dr. Evans Ugoh, NEMA's Deputy Director for Disaster Risk Reduction, urged residents to avoid behaviors and activities that could lead to flooding or other disasters. He spoke at Ikere Ekiti during a community forum organized by NEMA in partnership with the Ekiti State Emergency Management Authority (SEMA). NIMET has also identified Ekiti State as likely to be affected by floods. Ugoh advised against littering in watercourses and drainage channels to ensure the smooth passage of water.
“Our primary goal is to educate on mitigation, prevention, and preparedness strategies among relevant stakeholders—state, local governments, and communities,” he stated. “Mitigation and prevention refer to actions taken to prevent disasters from occurring, while proactive measures can lessen the impacts if they do occur. Preparedness encompasses actions taken in advance to ensure effective responses to disasters, such as early warning systems, capacity building, public education, risk assessment, and mapping, among others.”
SEMA General Manager, Oludare Asaolu, echoed the necessity of preventing flooding and urged residents to act as change agents in their communities to raise awareness about activities that can predispose the environment to flooding. Consequently, Asaolu stated, “Flooding, as a natural disaster, results in various consequences, from immediate hazards to long-term effects on human health, infrastructure, the environment, and the economy. It can disrupt businesses, leading to job losses and economic decline. Flooding can also result in loss of life, damage to properties and essential infrastructure, and displacement, forcing people to evacuate their homes and potentially face long-term displacement.”
“Additionally, floods can pollute water sources and increase the vulnerability to waterborne diseases like cholera and hepatitis, while disrupting vital services such as electricity, water treatment, and public infrastructure like roads and bridges, thereby hindering access to essential services. Floods can ruin crops, causing food shortages and economic repercussions. This community forum aims to safeguard our people from all these forementioned losses,” concluded the SEMA chief.
The Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom, Oba Adejumi Adu-Alagbado, who praised NEMA, SEMA, and other disaster management agencies for their proactive measures, called attention to the challenge of waste disposal in canals, channels, and drainage systems prevalent in some communities within the state. Oba Adu-Alagbado stated, “I will urge the SEMA DG to take this matter seriously, as it poses a significant challenge. The local government chairmen and the local council development area have assured me that following our announcements through town criers about the detrimental effects of dumping waste in channels or canals, they will arrest anyone caught doing so. This will serve as a deterrent to anyone considering such actions,” the monarch concluded.
