At least 3,018 people displaced and 265 houses destroyed in the floods in central Nigeria as more rains are feared.

More than 150 people have been killed and thousands displaced after floods devastated parts of central Nigeria, local authorities said, as rescue teams continue to recover bodies and search for the missing.

The flooding struck the rural town of Mokwa in Niger State following torrential rains that began late on Wednesday and continued into Thursday.

The death toll has risen to 151 after more bodies were recovered nearly 10km (6 miles) from Mokwa, said Ibrahim Audu Husseini, a spokesman for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) on Saturday.

At least 3,018 people have been displaced, while 265 houses were “completely destroyed” in the floods, he said, adding that many victims were believed to have been swept down the Niger River, warning that the toll could still rise.

President Bola Tinubu extended his condolences overnight and said search-and-rescue operations were ongoing with the support of Nigeria’s security forces.

“Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay,” he wrote in a post on social media.

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“We lost everything, the families. We don’t have anywhere else to go, the property has gone,” Mohammed Tanko, a local, told Al Jazeera. “We lost at least 15 from this house.”

Another survivor said: “I escaped with only my nightdress. Right now, I can’t even identify where our home used to be.”

More rains feared

Meteorologists warn that more rain is expected in the coming days, raising fears of further flooding across the region.

Flooding is a regular threat during Nigeria’s six-month rainy season, but experts say the frequency and severity of these disasters are increasing due to climate change, unregulated construction, and poor drainage infrastructure.

“Flooding has become an annual event, between the months of April and October,” Ugonna Nkwunonwo, a flood risk analyst at the University of Nigeria, told Al Jazeera.

He warned that while flood risks have long been identified, “there has not been much political power to implement this change”.

“This flooding is a result of climate change, which is affecting the frequency and intensity of rainfall,” he said. “The amount of rain you expect in a year could probably come in one or two months, and people are not prepared for that kind of rainfall.”

Last year, more than 1,200 people died and up to two million were displaced by similar disasters across Nigeria.

“This tragic incident serves as a timely reminder of the dangers associated with building on waterways and the critical importance of keeping drainage channels and river paths clear,” the National Emergency Management Agency said in a statement.

At least 151 people have now been confirmed dead after heavy rainfall unleashed flooding in a market town in north-central Nigeria, the local emergency services told The Associated Press on Saturday. Mokwa in Nigeria has experienced massive damage and a death toll of over 150 due to flooding(AP)

More than 3,000 people were displaced in the flooding in the town of Mokwa in Niger state, more than 180 miles (300 kilometers) west of Abuja, the capital of Africa’s most populous nation, Niger state emergency agency spokesman Ibrahim Audu Husseini said.

Also Read: 19 dead, 12,000 affected as rain triggers floods, landslides across Northeast

At least 500 households across three communities were affected in the predawn rain Friday, leaving roofs barely visible and residents waist-deep in water, Husseini added.

Communities in northern Nigeria have been experiencing prolonged dry spells worsened by climate change and excessive rainfall that leads to severe flooding during the brief wet season.

Also Read: City’s first rains expose 59 new flood-prone spots in South Mumbai

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said he has directed the activation of the national emergency response center to quickly assist the state.

“Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and all relevant federal agencies have been mobilized to support the state government’s efforts,” Tinubu said in a late night message. “Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay. We will ensure that no Nigerian affected by this disaster is left behind or unheard of.”

Also Read: DK Shivakumar inspects flood-hit Manyata Tech Park, orders demolition of structures blocking water flow

Residents were mourning the dead on Saturday as some awaited news of their loved ones still unaccounted for. They also lamented the destruction caused in the town, a major meeting point where traders from the south buy beans, onions and other food from farmers in the north.

“We lost many lives, and the properties, our farm produce. Those that have their storage have lost it,” said resident Kazeem Muhammed.

At least 151 people have died after heavy rainfall sparked severe flooding in Mokwa, a market town in north-central Nigeria.

Ibrahim Audu Husseini, spokesman for the Niger state emergency agency, stated that more than 3,000 people have been displaced by the disaster in the town, situated more than 180 miles west of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.

The flooding, triggered by heavy rainfall, affected at least 500 households across three communities early Friday.

Husseini noted that the intense flooding left many homes submerged, with only roofs visible above the water, and residents wading through waist-deep water.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said he has directed the activation of the national emergency response center to quickly assist the state.

“Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and all relevant federal agencies have been mobilized to support the state government’s efforts,” Tinubu said in a late night message.

“Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay. We will ensure that no Nigerian affected by this disaster is left behind or unheard of.”

Residents were mourning the dead on Saturday as some awaited news of their loved ones still unaccounted for. They also lamented the destruction caused in the town, a major meeting point where traders from the south buy beans, onions and other food from farmers in the north.

“We lost many lives, and the properties, our farm produce. Those that have their storage have lost it,” said resident Kazeem Muhammed.

Nigeria is prone to flooding during the rainy season, which began in April.

In 2022, Nigeria experienced its worst wave of floods in more than a decade which killed more than 600 people, displaced around 1.4 million and destroyed 440,000 hectares of farmland.

The flooding incident in Niger state occurred on Wednesday night and continued into Thursday morning, Hussaini said, with a number of people still in the water.

By Kunle Sanni

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Niger State following the devastating flood that struck Mokwa, a market town in Mokwa Local Government Area.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Saturday, the ruling party expressed deep sympathy for families who lost loved ones and those rendered homeless by the disaster.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the families that have lost loved ones and those displaced from their homes,” the statement read.

The APC praised the bravery of first responders and local residents involved in search, rescue, and recovery efforts across flood-affected areas.

The party also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and all levels of government to intensify relief operations and deliver timely assistance to victims.

“It is our prayer that the souls of all who have died may find eternal rest, as we pray for quick recovery and healing for those injured in this tragedy,” the statement added.

At least 110 people have died in floods caused by torrential rainfall in central Nigeria, which lasted for several hours, according to the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah.

Western Post reported that President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate activation of emergency response measures following devastating floods in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, which have caused loss of lives and widespread displacement.

Over 150 deaths recorded in Niger state deadly floods as more pipo still dey miss

Wia dis foto come from, Makail Musa

30 May 2025 New Informate 3 hours wey don pass

Ova one hundred and fifty pipo don die sake of flooding for Niger State, northcentral Nigeria, authorities tok.

Dr Ibrahim Husain wey be di Acting Director General of di Niger State Emergency Management Agency (Nsema) confam di latest number of casualties to our tori pesin. E also give breakdown of di damages wey di flash floods cause for Mokwa Local Goment Area.

Di flood wey happun on Wednesday night for Mokwa local goment area of di state sake of heavy rainfall destroy shops, houses, and farms.

For statement wey Nsema bin release on Thursday, di agency say di deadly flood disaster wey happun scata two communities wey be Tiffin maza and Anguwan hausawa for Mokwa town, Mokwa local goment area.

But di latest records as at Saturday 31 May, 2025, Nsema say na 151 deadibody dem don recover. 11 pipo wound and over 3,000 pipo dey displaced.

Im add say di households wey dey affected na ova 500 and 265 houses na im dey affected.

Di flood destroy two roads and two bridges.

‘Since dem born me I neva see dis kain flood bifor’ – Mokwa District head

District head of Mokwa, Muhammad Aliyu Shaba, say since dem born am im neva see dat kain flood bifor.

“We just wake up for morning and we see flood wey don scata all my community. We don record more dan 100 deaths and ova 800 pipo still dey miss.

In fact we still dey find deadibody dem from hia reach River Niger. Na why I wake up early morning to assist di rescue and search team.”

Oga Aliyu add say di road dey completely blocked and we get bye-pass wey goment neva work finish. Like say dat road dey all di chop-off for Mokwa road for no happun.

Di road wey we dey manage now sef no dey good, we dey beg goment to help us wit di road so dat long vehicles and oda vehicles fit pass.

Di vice chairman of Mokwa local goment area, Musa Aliyu describe di flood as spiritual water.

Im say for dia Nupe tribe, dem dey call dis kain flood ‘Mainyara’ (spiritual water) wey dey come occasionally.

“I no fit describe am for English but na spiritual water wey dey come seasonally, as e come now e go reach anoda 20 years bifor e go come again, na wetin we see yesterday (Wednesday) if not plenti water no dey around us wey fit cause flood.”

Im say di pipo for communities for Mokwa need goment intervention sharp-sharp.

“We dey call on goment to come help us becos our pipo dey suffer, we need immediate intervention, if not we dey inside big problem inside Mokwa for now. Make goment help us sharp- sharp.”

Di vice chairman say hundreds of pipo still dey miss and many pipo properties dey destroyed.

Anoda eyewitness, Abubakar Isa, say di issue don big pass dem.

“Dem born me for dis village and I grow up for hia, I neva see dis kain rain and flood bifor.

We wake up between 7 to 8 am for morning, some pipo don already cross di bridge to go anoda place, some pipo don already dey go farm.

We just stand begin see flood water start to enta our houses, many pipo don die, many properties don spoil, pipo wey store dia farm produce for store don lose am too.”

Im say dem need serious help becos some pipo no get even single cloth to wear and some pipo no know how dem and dia familiy wan take chop or how dem go survive

Kasemu Mohammed chook mouth for di flood mata. Im say “di water come from Mashegu local goment area, Zuburma and Ibi sake of di heavy rain wey bin fall. Di water from dia find im way into Mokwa town”.

Nsema tok for statement on Thursday say “heavy rain fall wit veri high intensity wey bin last for many hours. Di flood water wey bin kontinu to rise swallow houses”.

Di agency say di flood carry ova 50 residential houses wit di pipo wey dey live inside.

Nsema add say dem do collabo wit Mokwa local goment authority, local divers and veri brave volunteers wey bin conduct search and rescue operation to rescue survivors and recova deadibody dem.

According to di statement, dem bin rescue three pipo, one woman and her two pikin dem wey dey receive treatment for wounds and shock for Mokwa general hospital.

Na 21 deadibody dem bin say dem recova from di incident earlier on, latest tori be say na ova 100 deadibody dem don see.

Wia dis foto come from, Makail Musa Wetin we call dis foto, Pipo dey pass inside flood water while some climb ontop roof

Di flood scata di Mokwa road wey dey link dem to di south and e bin cause serious traffic.

Tori be say dem still dey find plenti pipo wey dey miss and goment agencies dey help to search for di pipo. Rescue operation still dey go on.

Flooding for Nigeria

Devasting floods na common tin for Nigeria and parts of West Africa. For September 2024 floods bin hit Borno State northern Nigeria wia Govnor Babagana Zulum bin tok say di victims of Maiduguri flood no fit be less dan two million.

According to di govnor, thousands of pipo wey di flood bin pursue from dia house bin stay for four different camps.

Many pipo bin stay for roof witout food for days. Govnor Zulum goment bin assist as e bin share food.

Some of di victims bin tink say dem go die wit dia children sake od di flood but rescue later come for dem.

Apart from heavy rainfall, one of di causes of flood na dam failure.