By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
A night of unrelenting rainfall turned tragic for residents of Mokwa, the headquarters of Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State, as a deadly flood swept through the town, leaving destruction and death in its wake.
While the full extent of the devastation is still being assessed, residents say dozens of people may have lost their lives. Many more remain missing after the Wednesday night downpour triggered a deluge that submerged homes and swept away families in their sleep.
Local estimates suggest the death toll could surpass 50. Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, and the major road linking northern and southern Nigeria through Mokwa has reportedly been severed by the floodwaters, compounding the crisis.
“It was like a nightmare. Water rushed into our homes while we were sleeping. People were screaming, and some never made it out,” said Mohammed Usman, a local resident. “We’ve already pulled out several bodies, but many more people, including women and children, are still missing.”
The flooding has left parts of the community completely submerged, with residents wading through muddy waters in search of loved ones and what remains of their belongings.
Confirming the incident, Dr. Ibrahim Audu Hussaini, Director of Information and Special Duties at the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said that emergency officials were still working to determine the scope of the disaster.
“Our team is on the ground, conducting assessments. We are still gathering facts and will release a comprehensive report once we have clearer information,” he said.
The flood has once again highlighted the vulnerability of many Nigerian communities to extreme weather events and the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and infrastructure in flood-prone regions.