Death Toll in Niger Flooding Climbs Past 200, Over 1,000 Still Missing as Rescue Operations Intensify

A catastrophic flood has struck Mokwa Local Government in Niger State, leaving over 200 people dead and more than 1,000 missing as rescue teams battle worsening conditions.

Thousands have been displaced and critical infrastructure destroyed, with emergency responders relying on excavators to search for survivors.

The devastating flood that swept through Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State has left a trail of destruction and heartbreak, with state authorities confirming that more than 200 lives have been lost and over 1,000 people remain unaccounted for. The disaster, which struck three major communities, has displaced thousands and left critical infrastructure in ruins.

The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, gave the grim update during the visit of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the Government House in Minna on Monday, June 2. According to Garba, the state continues to uncover the scale of the disaster with each passing day.

“If we say this is the number today, the next day you see the number going up again,” he lamented. “There are people who were displaced, and nobody has seen them. For now, we don’t know where they are. Those people have actually been swept away by water.”

He revealed that a painstaking house-to-house verification has shown that more than 1,000 residents are still missing, while the number of confirmed deaths stands at nearly 200. The flood also left over 3,000 people homeless and destroyed more than 2,000 properties, including homes, businesses, and public infrastructure.

The natural disaster has particularly affected three major communities in the Mokwa axis, where rivers overflowed following days of intense rainfall. Bridges and roads were washed away, making it difficult for emergency responders to access certain areas.

Rescue efforts, which are ongoing, have been hampered by the sheer scale of destruction and the inaccessibility of some communities. Excavators are now being deployed in the search for bodies and possible survivors, but officials fear the death toll could rise further as the search continues.

During his visit, Peter Obi expressed deep sympathy with the people and government of Niger State. The former governor of Anambra State announced a ₦20 million donation to assist victims and called for increased national attention to the tragedy.

“We felt we had to physically visit here and show solidarity,” Obi said. “Whatever happened here happened to Nigeria. We are all brothers and sisters.”

Obi also prayed for the repose of the souls lost to the flood and a speedy recovery for those receiving medical care. He urged both the government and Nigerian citizens to come together in supporting the victims and rebuilding affected communities. He further pledged to return for a more direct interaction with the victims in their respective communities.

In a related development, the wife of Niger State Governor, Hajiya Fatima Bago, also visited the affected communities. During her visit, she donated ₦50 million on behalf of her family and toured the disaster zones to assess the level of damage.

“We are here to condole with the victims and assess the situation,” she stated. “The ongoing rescue operations using excavators are encouraging, and we hope more people can be found alive.”

Fatima Bago also appealed to residents to avoid constructing buildings on flood-prone areas, especially near waterways. She emphasized the need for public enlightenment and adherence to urban planning regulations to avoid future tragedies.

The Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, who also spoke during the visit, described the flood disaster as “an act of God” and encouraged affected residents to remain hopeful in the face of despair.

Traditional leaders in the area have also voiced their support for the government’s efforts. The head of Mokwa town, Mohammed Aliyu, expressed appreciation for the visits by public officials and donors. He urged the government to go a step further by compensating families who lost loved ones and property in the disaster.

As search-and-rescue missions intensify, the Niger State Government has called on national and international humanitarian organizations to join in offering support to the affected communities. Meanwhile, displaced persons are being housed in temporary shelters, as authorities scramble to provide food, water, and medical care.

The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of Nigeria’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and underscores the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and climate resilience strategies across all states.