Mokwa, a market town in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State, has been devastated by severe flooding, resulting in over 200 confirmed deaths and leaving more than 500 individuals missing and presumed dead. The disaster, which struck on May 29, 2025, is considered the worst flooding event in the region in six decades.
The flooding was triggered by intense predawn rainfall, leading to the collapse of a nearby dam. The ensuing deluge submerged entire communities, particularly affecting the Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa districts. The floodwaters, rising rapidly over approximately five hours, left residents wading through waist-deep water in desperate attempts to salvage belongings and rescue others.
In addition to the tragic loss of life, the floods have displaced over 3,000 people and caused significant infrastructure damage, including the collapse of two bridges and the washing away of roads. Local authorities have ceased rescue operations, shifting focus to the retrieval of bodies to prevent potential disease outbreaks.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his condolences to the affected families and assured citizens of the government’s commitment to providing relief materials and temporary shelters. The National Emergency Management Agency is actively distributing purified water to avert waterborne illnesses.
This catastrophic event underscores the urgent need for improved flood-control infrastructure in the region. Local leaders have emphasized that such devastating floods are unprecedented in Mokwa, highlighting the impact of climate change and the necessity for proactive measures to mitigate future disasters.
Survivors recount terrifying moments as floodwaters engulfed their homes in the early morning hours. Many residents said there was no prior warning before the dam collapsed. Witnesses described watching neighbors being swept away while trying to save children or elderly relatives. One survivor, Aisha Musa, said, “We heard a loud noise and the water came rushing. My house was gone in minutes. I lost my two brothers. We didn’t even have time to run.”
As satellite images of Mokwa show entire neighborhoods underwater, environmental experts are pointing to a combination of poor dam maintenance, inadequate drainage systems, and increasingly erratic weather patterns as contributing factors. Climate scientists have long warned that Nigeria, like many parts of West Africa, is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events.
Lawmakers and civil society groups have begun urging a national review of Nigeria’s dam infrastructure. Critics argue that warnings from environmental agencies in previous years went largely unheeded. “We cannot afford to ignore climate risk anymore. Lives are at stake, and what happened in Mokwa could happen elsewhere,” said environmental advocate Chinedu Ogala.
In a public statement, President Tinubu announced the formation of a federal committee to investigate the dam failure and improve disaster preparedness. “We must ensure this tragedy is not repeated,” he said, pledging increased funding for early warning systems and infrastructure upgrades.
As Mokwa begins the long and painful journey toward recovery, the memory of the hundreds lost—and the haunting silence left behind—will remain a powerful reminder of the urgent need for climate resilience and responsible governance.
