Over 100 Dead in Niger State Floods as Government Inaction Fuels Tragedy
MOKWA, NIGERIA At least 111 people have been confirmed dead and dozens more remain missing after heavy flooding devastated the market town of Mokwa in Niger State, following days of torrential rainfall and the collapse of a nearby dam.
While grieving families recover bodies from the wreckage and survivors are forced to sleep in makeshift shelters, many Nigerians are asking a painful question: Why does this keep happening?
Despite years of flood warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and billions of naira allocated for ecological and flood control, flood disasters continue to claim lives across the country with little to no accountability.
“We Lost Everything”
Survivors in Mokwa describe scenes of destruction and despair. Homes were swept away within hours, and entire families are still unaccounted for.
Mohammed Tanko, a 29-year-old civil servant, said he lost at least 15 relatives from his family house. “We lost everything. There’s nothing left but pain,” he told reporters.
Another resident, Danjuma Shaba, a fisherman, said the flood destroyed his home. “I now sleep in a car park,” he said.
The head of Niger State’s emergency operations office, Husseini Isah, confirmed on Friday that search and rescue efforts are ongoing and the death toll could rise in the coming days.
Repeated Warnings, Repeated Failures
In the days before the disaster, NiMet issued warnings of flash floods in 15 states, including Niger. Yet no visible preventive or emergency measures were taken by state or federal authorities.
Critics say this reflects a broader pattern of failure in Nigeria’s disaster preparedness systems. Every year, severe floods kill hundreds and displace millions. And every year, governments pledge action but deliver little.
In 2024, more than 1,200 Nigerians died in one of the country’s worst flood seasons in decades. That same year, a dam collapse in Maiduguri displaced thousands. Yet no systemic reforms have been implemented.
Questions Over Flood Funds
The federal government has allocated significant funds over the years for flood control and emergency response. In 2023 alone, the National Assembly approved ₦180 billion for ecological projects.
However, most of these projects remain either incomplete or non-existent, with allegations of mismanagement and corruption continuing to surface.
“There is no accountability. Year after year, the money disappears, and the people suffer,” said a policy analyst in Abuja, who asked to remain anonymous.
The Role of Climate Change and Poor Governance
While climate change has increased the frequency of extreme weather events globally, experts agree that Nigeria’s flood crisis is worsened by poor urban planning, blocked drainage systems, and outdated infrastructure.
Many flood-prone communities are still without early warning systems or proper evacuation plans. In some cases, houses and markets are built along natural water channels, with little enforcement of building codes.
“The government can’t keep blaming nature for what is clearly a result of years of neglect and mismanagement,” said environmental activist Nkem Ayorinde.
A Town of Strategic Importance
Mokwa is a strategic town, serving as a commercial hub between the agricultural North and industrial South. Its destruction threatens not only human life but also economic activity and food distribution networks.
Local leaders are calling for urgent intervention and long-term solutions. But many fear the government’s response will once again be limited to press releases and condolence messages.
A Call for Accountability
As families bury their dead and others continue searching through rubble, citizens are demanding answers — and action.
Experts are calling for:
An independent audit of flood control funds since 2020
Emergency repairs of dams and drainage infrastructure
Real-time flood alert systems across all high-risk states
Prosecution of officials linked to failed flood projects
A national flood prevention and resettlement policy
Unless meaningful reforms are made, Nigeria’s rainy season will remain a season of mourning.
“We are tired of hearing ‘never again’ after each flood,” said a Mokwa resident. “This time, the government must act or more lives will be lost.”
Reference
More than 100 killed in heavy Nigeria flooding, rescue efforts ongoing