The death toll from devastating floods in Nigeria’s central Niger State has climbed to 151, local authorities confirmed on Saturday, as emergency workers continued search and rescue operations days after heavy rains inundated the town of Mokwa.
Speaking to Reuters, Ibrahim Audu Hussaini, Director of Information at the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, said more than 500 households had been affected and over 3,000 people displaced following the flash floods which struck late Wednesday night and stretched into Thursday morning.
Rescue workers have remained on the ground, combing through mud and collapsed structures in search of survivors and bodies, as the scale of the disaster becomes clearer.
The incident marks one of the deadliest flooding episodes in the country this year, with officials warning of further risk as the rainy season — which began in April — intensifies.
Nigeria experiences seasonal flooding annually, but climate change, poor urban planning and blocked drainage systems have made many communities increasingly vulnerable. Experts say unregulated construction and deforestation are exacerbating the impact.
In 2022, the country suffered its worst flooding in over a decade, with more than 600 people killed and around 1.4 million displaced. That year, nearly half a million hectares of farmland were submerged, raising food security concerns in Africa’s most populous nation.
The authorities have urged residents living in flood-prone areas to relocate where possible and are calling for federal assistance to support relief operations.
“The government must move quickly to support victims and prevent further tragedies,” said a local volunteer coordinating aid efforts in Mokwa, adding that shelters are overwhelmed and potable water is in short supply.
