I LOST 17 MEMBERS OF MY HOUSEHOLD — VICTIM OF NIGER FLOOD LAMENTS
Read Time:3 Minute, 11 Second
By: Sefiu Ajape
Seventeen members of a single household were among the victims of the devastating flood that struck the Kpege area of Mokwa in Niger State on Wednesday night, as the overall death toll has now climbed to 115.
Recounting his ordeal, one of the victims, Anas Usman said, “I lost 17 members of my household to the flood disaster that happened on Thursday morning after a heavy downpour on Wednesday night. We were preparing to go to the farm in the morning when our house was suddenly submerged by the flood, we did not know where the flood came from. The flood submerged our house, causing the structure to collapse and we lost children, women and men who were our family members”.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Mr. Yakubu Garba, who visited the flood-affected area for an on-the-spot assessment on the directive of Governor Umaru Bago, confirmed that over 115 bodies had been recovered so far.
He added that search and rescue operations were still ongoing.
“I have been briefed by officials from NEMA and NSEMA, who have been on ground since the incident occurred for search and rescue operations. I was told that over 100 people lost their lives and some are yet to be buried as search and rescue operations are still ongoing,” he said.
Addressing victims at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Garba urged them to remain patient, explaining that the state government was finalizing plans to deliver relief supplies.
He noted that materials provided by NEMA had already been handed to the council chairman for distribution to those in need.
NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, also spoke, confirming that agency officials were on site to coordinate ongoing search and rescue efforts.
She explained that NEMA had supplied both food and non-food items—such as rice, blankets, and mats—which were delivered to the state government through the deputy governor to assist affected families.
Umar added that NEMA was collaborating with the Red Cross and the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) to support the community.
In a statement released yesterday, Umar noted that an on-site assessment conducted by the NEMA team on Friday, May 30, 2025, had confirmed the recovery of at least 115 bodies so far, with search and rescue operations still underway.
She reported that injured individuals evacuated to various health centers in Mokwa had either been treated and discharged or received first aid at the scene.
The worst-hit areas were identified as the Unguwan Hausawa and Tiffin Maza neighborhoods within Mokwa township.
The Federal Government has also condoled with the families and victims of the flood disaster.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in a statement he released yesterday in Abuja, said, “our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and all those affected by this tragic event. President Bola Tinubu has been fully briefed on the situation and has directed all relevant emergency and security agencies to intensify ongoing search and rescue operations. The immediate priority of the Federal Government is to save lives and provide urgent relief to survivors.
“The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Niger Government is working round the clock to ensure that no effort is spared in bringing help to those in need,” Idris said.
He commended the courage and dedication of first responders and volunteers, who were risking their lives in the ongoing rescue efforts. Idris also urged residents in the affected areas to cooperate fully with emergency officials and adhere to all evacuation directives that were issued.
“The Federal Government extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. In this moment of grief, the nation stands united with them in solidarity”, he said.
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