MOKWA, Nigeria (BN24) — New flash floods swept through communities in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria, early Wednesday, compounding the devastation from a previous disaster that killed at least 207 people and left more than 700 missing just weeks ago. Residents awoke in terror to find their homes, roads, and farmlands inundated, as torrents of water surged through Jaagi, Rabba, Koshaba, Daffan, Kpautagi, Ezhi, and other villages, displacing families and reigniting fears of further catastrophe.
In Jaagi, where a floodgate had reportedly collapsed last month, the damage was described by locals as “unprecedented.” Homes, livestock, and personal belongings were swept away in the early morning deluge. Many residents now face a second wave of displacement with little to no resources, pleading for immediate intervention from state and federal authorities.
“This is beyond anything we can handle alone,” one resident told local media. “People are stranded, and the destruction is worse than before.”
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the flooding but said a full assessment of the destruction and possible casualties was still underway. “I can’t ascertain the extent of casualties and damages for now as the rescue team is on their way to the community,” said Hussaini Ibrahim, the agency’s acting director general. “But I can tell you there was a flash flood this morning.”
The new flooding follows a humanitarian crisis that has left deep scars on Mokwa and surrounding communities. Last month’s flooding killed 207 people, displaced more than 3,000 households, and damaged over 400 homes and shops. Despite emergency appeals, over 700 people remain unaccounted for, according to state officials.
Governor Umaru Bago, represented by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba during a condolence visit from Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha (Rtd.), former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha, underscored the scale of the devastation. “Over 700 persons are still missing and we are yet to ascertain where they are,” Garba said. “The flooding has caused extensive damage.”
The governor has declared the situation a national disaster, urging individuals, corporate organizations, and humanitarian agencies to offer sustained support. The state government has pledged ongoing coordination with emergency responders, but residents say the pace of relief efforts has been slow and the risk of further flooding remains dangerously high amid the ongoing rainy season.
As authorities brace for more heavy rains in the weeks ahead, communities across Mokwa are left grappling with the dual burdens of grief and survival. For many, the question is no longer if another flood will strike—but when.
