Minister mourns 160 killed in Mokwa flood, warns of worsening climate impact
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, has expressed deep sorrow over the devastating flood disaster that recently struck Mokwa in Niger State, resulting in the death of at least 160 people.
In a heartfelt statement made available to Vanguard, the Minister—himself an indigene of Niger State—described the incident as “devastating and unprecedented,” attributing the tragedy to the escalating impact of climate change.
“We mourn the victims of Mokwa’s deadly floods. My heart is broken, seeing the graphic visuals of the devastation that claimed the lives of men, women, and children,” Senator Abdullahi said.
He extended his condolences to the bereaved families, the people of Mokwa, and Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, who is leading the state’s emergency response. “This is a most difficult time for the families of the victims, their neighbours, and their communities. I pray that the Almighty will console the bereaved and lighten their grief,” he added.
Acknowledging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for emergency response, the Minister said that relief is already being provided through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and noted his personal contribution of food items to hundreds of affected families.
Senator Abdullahi emphasized that Mokwa is not located on a typical floodplain, making the scale of the disaster even more alarming. He pointed to the event as a stark warning of intensifying climate events across the country.
He urged all stakeholders to take seriously the Seasonal Climate Prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, warning that ignoring these forecasts poses grave risks.
“Each rainy season leaves me with a deep sense of foreboding as floods submerge farmlands, causing crop losses and eroding livelihoods,” he said.
To reduce future risks, the Minister recommended several long-term interventions, including desilting of rivers and streams, construction of water-harvesting structures, and sustainable land restoration projects.
As Co-Chair of the World Bank-funded ACReSAL Project (Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes), he cited successful examples from Jigawa State, where land restoration and desiltation initiatives have improved farming and fishing activities.
Calling for national solidarity, Senator Abdullahi appealed to individuals, civil society groups, and organizations to support relief efforts—not only with food and shelter, but also by offering trauma counselling and restoring livelihoods.
“Beyond immediate relief, we must address the psychological and economic toll on survivors. Mokwa, a key transit town between North and South, must regain its vitality,” he said.
He concluded by urging communities and local governments to heed flood warnings and adopt proactive strategies to safeguard lives and property in the face of growing climate-related disasters.
