..As NISEMA puts casualty figure at 151
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja, John Adams, Minna
President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate activation of the National Emergency Response Centre in response to the catastrophic flooding in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, which has claimed over 100 lives and left many families homeless.
The President’s directive came early yesterday after receiving distressing reports about the magnitude of the disaster. Local sources confirm that at least 75 bodies have been buried, while more than 100 people remain missing amid ongoing search-and-rescue efforts.
In a statement shared on his official X account, @officialABAT, President Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and assured of the Federal Government’s intervention. “Upon receiving initial reports, I immediately directed the activation of the National Emergency Response Centre. I have also been briefed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on the scale of the disaster and the urgent humanitarian needs,” he said.
He confirmed that relief supplies and temporary shelters had been dispatched to the affected areas without delay. Federal agencies, including NEMA, have been mobilized alongside the Niger State Government to intensify rescue operations and deliver critical aid.
“Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and all relevant federal agencies have been mobilised to support the state government’s efforts. We will ensure that no Nigerian affected by this disaster is left behind or unheard of,” Tinubu stressed.
He further instructed security forces to assist emergency teams, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to saving lives and restoring dignity. “I assure all those impacted that your government stands with you. We will continue to coordinate with the Niger State Government to ensure a swift, coordinated, and compassionate response, one that prioritises lives, restores dignity and accelerates recovery,” he added.
Offering condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Niger State, Tinubu says the nation shares their grief and pledges unwavering support. “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the affected families and the good people of Niger State at this difficult time. In times of adversity, we draw strength from our unity, resilience, and shared humanity,” he said.
The President called on Nigerians to keep the victims and their families in their prayers, stressing that such tragedies require collective empathy and action.
Additionally, President Tinubu has dispatched a high-level delegation to the state to commiserate with the government and the people. The delegation comprises of the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris and his counterpart in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.
A statement issued in Abuja by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim, said Idris conveyed President Tinubu’s heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the state over the flood disaster.
“We are here on the directive of Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to come and see the people of Niger State, particularly the Governor and officials of the state government to commiserate with you; to sympathize and empathize with you on what has happened in Mokwa Local Government Area.
“Mr. President is personally saddened by this and yesterday, he directed that every available resources of the Federal Government should be deployed to Mokwa and that’s why you are seeing me in the company of my brother, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affair,” Idris said.
The Minister added that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had already carried out a comprehensive assessment of the situation and had mobilized the necessary resources to deliver immediate relief and support to the affected communities.
“We are aware that they (NEMA) have been collaborating with the state government to ensure seamless operations. They also ensured that those who have lost their lives; the bodies are respectfully recovered; those who have sustained various degrees of injuries are attended to and every requirement that the government needs to put together are in place to ensure succour is being provided for those our brothers and sisters in Mokwa,” Idris also said.
Idris further said President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the scale of the disaster, particularly coming barely a year after a similar incident caused widespread devastation in several communities across Niger State.
He stated that the government was working diligently to ensure that, in the event of similar occurrences in the future, adequate measures and preparedness were put in place to effectively mitigate their impact.
The Minister disclosed that the President had also directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to collaborate with state governments across the country to intensify public sensitization efforts, particularly in communities situated around flood plains, to ensure residents heed early warning signs and take appropriate preventive measures.
“This is also a call to our people to take this as a warning against future occurrence, especially all those living around the areas where this kind of disaster is prone to happen,” he advised.
Idris also commended the Niger State Government and its agencies for its swift response to the disaster.
Responding, the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, expressed profound gratitude to the Federal Government for its prompt and compassionate response to the devastating floods. He also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the rapid intervention during the disaster, describing the response as a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the welfare of citizens in times of crisis.
He said the people of Niger State were devastated by the scale of destruction in the Mokwa floods.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NISEMA) has given updates on the casualty figures from the Mokwa flood disaster, putting the death toll on Saturday at 151.
A breakdown of the damages released by the NSEMA Public Relations Officer, Mallam Hassan Mohammed in Minna on Saturday indicates that 3,018 people were displaced from the 506 households that were affected in the disaster.
According to the Agency, 256 houses were completely washed away with nothing to salvage from the destruction from the flood. Additionally, two bridges and two roads were affected by the disaster.
Compared to the previous disasters, the Mokwa flood represents the highest in the state in recent past, resulting in the uprooting of a 100-year-old tree in the heart of the town. This, reports say, has left the communities speechless, attributing spiritual dimension to the disaster.
A 75 year old resident of Mokwa, Alhaji Usman Baba Mokwa who spoke to our correspondent through an interpreter, said the flood was a mysterious one, stressing that though rain fell but not to the magnitude of disaster it had caused.
“We have seen heavy rain more than this one before but it did not cause this level of destruction. There is more to this flood disaster. However, we will not be quick to conclude on the cause of this disaster”, he added.