Over 100 feared dead as flood ravages Mokwa in Niger state, NEMA deploys relief and rescue teams
At least 100 bodies have been recovered following a devastating flood that struck the Kpege area of Mokwa in Niger State in the early hours of Thursday, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The agency, in a statement signed by its Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, on Friday, said search and rescue operations are ongoing as emergency teams continue to provide relief to displaced residents and survivors. The flood, described as unprecedented, destroyed homes, claimed lives, and disrupted livelihoods in the Unguwan Hausawa and Tiffin Maza neighbourhoods of Mokwa township.
NEMA has since activated its Minna Operations Office and deployed additional personnel and equipment from its Headquarters in Abuja to bolster the response. Relief materials, including food items, household supplies, tents, and mobile water treatment units, have been delivered to the affected communities. The items were formally presented to the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Comrade Yakubu Garba.
Mrs. Umar, who led an on-site assessment team, confirmed that many injured persons were treated at nearby health centres, while others received first aid at the disaster site. She praised the dedication of emergency personnel and volunteers working under strenuous conditions to rescue trapped individuals and recover bodies.
Support has also come from the Nigerian Red Cross, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), local divers and volunteers. Security operatives including the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Military Disaster Response Units from the nearby Kainji formation are also maintaining order and assisting with the operation.
Emergency responders continue to monitor the area for possible secondary hazards and have urged residents to stay vigilant and report any unusual developments. A comprehensive post-disaster assessment will follow to guide long-term recovery and reconstruction efforts.
