Mokwa Flood Disaster: Ongoing Search for Missing Persons and Government Response

Four days after the catastrophic flood that devastated Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, families continue to search desperately for the bodies of their loved ones to ensure they receive proper burials.

Official reports indicate that at least 151 people have died, with over 100 still missing. The flood, triggered by prolonged heavy rainfall and exacerbated by the collapse of a nearby dam, led to the destruction of 50 houses and displaced approximately 3,018 individuals. Many of the displaced are currently taking refuge at Mokwa Central Primary School, which has been converted into a temporary shelter. WikipediaWikipedia

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) reported that the disaster affected 265 houses across three communities, destroyed two roads and two bridges, and injured 11 people. The suddenness and magnitude of the flood caught the community off guard, leading to significant loss of life and property.

Eyewitnesses recount harrowing experiences, with some families losing multiple members. Alhaji Belle Ibrahim, a resident who lost his entire family, expressed his anguish, stating that he is still searching for their remains to provide them with proper burials. Others, like Musa Adamu and Hauwa Kudu, continue to comb through debris and floodwaters in hopes of finding missing relatives.

The floodwaters, which began rushing in around 6 am on Thursday, quickly overwhelmed Unguwan Hausawa while most residents were still asleep. The disaster also blocked the Tatabu Bridge in the Mokea area, a critical link between the North and South-West, causing significant traffic disruptions.

Local authorities, including the leader of the Hausa community, Mal Tanko Bala, report that over 100 bodies have been buried, with more than 100 individuals still unaccounted for. Entire families have been wiped out, and the community is calling on the government for immediate assistance.

In response, the Niger State Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, confirmed ongoing search and rescue operations and the provision of relief materials to victims. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is coordinating response efforts, and President Bola Tinubu has directed that all available federal resources be deployed to address the situation.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, conveyed the President’s deep concern over the loss of lives and emphasized the need for public sensitization campaigns to prevent future disasters. The Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatdo, pledged to assess the needs of internally displaced persons and provide necessary support.

The state government has approved the distribution of 6,000 bags of rice and other essential materials to cushion the effects of the disaster on victims. Efforts are also being intensified to construct stem water drainage systems in Mokwa and Mashegu council areas to mitigate future flooding risks.

As the community grapples with the aftermath, many corpses remain trapped under collapsed buildings, and a significant number of almajiri (Quranic school pupils) are still unaccounted for. The government and emergency responders continue to work tirelessly to provide relief and prevent further loss of life.