Mokwa Flood Tragedy: 12 Family Members, Over 50 Almajirai Among Dozens Dead in Niger State Disaster

A devastating flood struck two communities—Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa—in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State on the night of Wednesday, May 28, claiming dozens of lives and leaving many missing. Among the dead were 12 members of the same family, and over 50 almajirai from a Quranic school are feared missing.

This tragic incident has thrown Mokwa and surrounding areas into deep mourning, with families grieving loved ones and rescue teams racing against time to find survivors. Although the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has officially confirmed 21 deaths, eyewitnesses and community leaders say the actual death toll could exceed 60.

Mokwa: A Busy Transport Hub Hit by Nature’s Wrath

Mokwa, one of the busiest towns in Niger State, serves as a major resting and parking point for long-distance travelers and heavy-duty vehicles traversing northern and southern Nigeria. Its central role in regional commerce and transportation makes it a vibrant community. However, it also leaves it vulnerable to the kind of devastation witnessed during this flood disaster.

With heavy rainfall overwhelming the terrain, entire homes were submerged, roads rendered impassable, and many residents caught unaware in their sleep. It is one of the worst natural disasters to hit Niger State in recent years.

A Family Wiped Out: 12 Out of 13 Members Die in the Flood

Perhaps the most heart-wrenching story to emerge from this tragedy comes from Hajiya Hassana Mokwa, a resident who lost nearly her entire extended family in the flood. Speaking with Daily Trust, she painfully recounted the horror:

“In my brother’s house, they were 13 in number and only one person survived and is currently at the hospital.”

The lone survivor is reportedly battling for life in a local hospital. Hajiya Hassana further revealed that a Quranic school owned by her cousin also suffered catastrophic loss:

“Many almajirai pupils in a Quranic school being operated by our cousin also died. Nobody survived in that house and the entire building was submerged. If you go there now, you won’t know if they ever built a house there.”

The flood was so severe that even a one-storey residential building was completely submerged, erasing any trace of its existence. “As I speak with you, nobody has ascertained the number of people in the rubbles of that building,” she added.

Victims Include Health Student, Pregnant Woman, and Children

Among the confirmed casualties was Binta, a student of the Niger State College of Health Technology, who was in Mokwa for the holidays. Her body has since been recovered, and her death adds to the growing list of young lives lost in the tragedy.

Another chilling account came from a local resident, Mallam Hamza Mahmud, who confirmed the recovery of two family members’ bodies while three others are still missing:

“The number of people who died are over 60,” he emphasized.

The body of a pregnant woman was recovered around 6pm on Thursday, and four of her children remain unaccounted for.

50+ Almajirai Still Missing from Quranic Schools

Multiple sources report that over 50 pupils from various Quranic schools (tsangaya schools) have not been seen or heard from since the flood began. One such source, Alhaji Baba Adamu, stated:

“The victims are mostly women and children. There are male adults, but they are not up to the number of women and children who died. The body of a woman was recovered around 6pm. There is also a Quranic school where most of the pupils have not been found.”

These almajirai, who are mostly young boys sent by parents to receive Islamic education, often live in overcrowded and poorly built structures, which make them especially vulnerable during emergencies.

Mass Burials Underway As Grief Spreads Across Communities

By 7pm Thursday, May 29, funerals were already being conducted for victims whose bodies had been found. Residents, volunteers, and local religious leaders gathered to say final prayers for the dead, many of whom were children and women.

The mass burials underscore the magnitude of the disaster. Families that once celebrated together are now burying loved ones side by side, their dreams and futures washed away in a single night of horror.

NSEMA and Emergency Response: Still Counting the Dead

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has deployed rescue and recovery teams to the affected areas. While they officially confirmed 21 fatalities, they acknowledge that many more people are still unaccounted for, particularly in Quranic schools and family homes that collapsed or were swept away.

Efforts to recover more bodies from submerged buildings and mud-covered structures continue as officials use canoes, excavators, and manual labor to access inaccessible parts of the town.

However, communication challenges, lack of emergency infrastructure, and limited manpower are slowing down rescue operations. Locals have called on the Niger State Government and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide urgent assistance, including temporary shelters, medical aid, and psychological support for survivors.

Climate Change and Poor Urban Planning: A Deadly Mix

Experts are linking this flood disaster to climate change-induced extreme weather patterns and poor urban planning. Mokwa, like many other Nigerian towns, lacks modern drainage systems, and its residential buildings are often constructed in flood-prone areas.

The intense rainfall, combined with blocked waterways and poor waste disposal practices, worsened the situation. Many homes were built too close to the riverbanks without adequate elevation or structural reinforcement.

Environmentalists and urban planners warn that floods like this will become more frequent if proactive steps are not taken, including:

• Enforcement of urban building codes

• Relocation of residents from flood-prone areas

• Investment in climate-resilient infrastructure

• Regular desilting of drainage channels

• Public awareness campaigns on emergency preparedness

How You Can Help the Victims of the Mokwa Flood

As of now, hundreds of people have been displaced, and many require food, water, clothing, and shelter. If you’re looking for ways to help:

• Donate to verified emergency response funds organized by NSEMA or reputable NGOs

• Volunteer with local Red Cross or health agencies

• Share verified information about missing persons

• Support fundraising drives for affected families

This is a time for Nigerians to come together in unity, compassion, and support for our fellow citizens.

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Conclusion: A Community Devastated, A Nation Must Respond

The Mokwa flood disaster of May 28, 2025, is a painful reminder of how vulnerable many Nigerian communities are in the face of natural disasters. The loss of over 60 lives, including entire families and dozens of almajirai, demands a serious response from government agencies, non-profits, and the general public.

We must act now to prevent such tragedies from happening again. Lives depend on it.