…Survivors narrate ordeal, recount losses
On May 29, 2025, devastating flooding struck Angwan Housawa, a community in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, submerged homes and farmlands, claimed numerous lives, displaced hundreds of residents.
The severe flood inflicted various degrees of pains and agony on the people.
Survivors told BDSunday that the heavy flood began around 7:00 a.m. and lasted until about 4:00 p.m. Some residents reported that the flooding occurred without any prior rainfall or noticeable weather changes, leaving the exact cause of the disaster unclear.
The flood caused widespread destruction: homes and culverts collapsed, farmlands were washed away, companies destroyed and valuable properties including cars, motorcycles, refrigerators, and other belongings were swept off by the raging waters.
Many survivors have been left stranded and helpless, with no access to food, shelter, or clothing. Women, in particular, have been severely affected, with many having lost their husbands, children, and relatives.
The community is now in desperate need of immediate humanitarian assistance, no food, no water, no light, and shelter.
Eyewitnesses reported that over 200 people have died, and recovery efforts are ongoing as many bodies remain missing. Survivors were seen in tattered clothes, visibly distressed, hungry, and in poor health.
Although the Niger State government said it has activated its emergency response team and is collaborating with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid, residents dispute claims that food and shelter have already been supplied.
The residents are appealing to well-meaning Nigerians, non-governmental organisations, and government agencies for urgent intervention, including the establishment of temporary camps to provide food and accommodation.
“We have no place to sleep and have been forced to stay outdoors. This emergency caught us completely off guard,” survivors told BDSunday.
Ramatu Yakubu, a nurse, said: “When it happened, my children ran out and I was dragging my husband who insisted not to leave the room, he was saying I should leave him that he won’t go out; as we were dragging it, our first son came shouting my mother, where is daddy? are you not coming out?
“I told him his dad said he won’t go out then he just carried him out. The water flowed into our yard from nowhere but we survived it. Our immediate neighbours were shouting please help us, we need help, as they were shouting, the building was sinking down and that was all.
“I saw people on a mattress flowing with water, including children on pampas. We lost so many people. In short, a complete building comprised of Arabic learning students of over 100 died in the water.”
Zainab Haruna, who spoke on behalf of women that have lost their husbands, and children resettling under tree said, “We have not received any form of assistance from anybody. We are homeless and hungry. We are not from the same family or tribe but the flood joined us together.
“We don’t have houses again, we have lost our husbands, children and relatives to the flood. We don’t have family members that we could run to for support. We need serious attention and assistance of food we could eat, and where we could stay. We plead with government to help us. We need food and shelter- it is very important to us now.”
Meanwhile, officials from UNICEF have begun providing free medical care to affected residents. Also, the Niger State Government also said the government is distributing food supplies to the victims.
Musa Alhaji Aliyu, chairman of the Local Government, spoke to our correspondent by phone, saying,
“The government is actively responding, especially regarding food and shelter. These are our top priorities right now. We have started distribution to the victims. This is a tragic and unfortunate event, and we pray that such a disaster never occurs again.”
As of the time of filing this report, eyewitness informed that, “the death toll already exceeding 200 and recovered corpses from another town are beyond recognition.”
Local residents recounted harrowing experiences, such as 36-year-old Adamu who lost nine family members, including his wife and newborn baby, as their home was engulfed by floodwaters.
The angry floods, overall, left over 200 people dead, with more than 500 individuals missing and presumed dead. They affected over 500 households, displacing more than 3,000 people, and destroyed critical infrastructure, including two roads and two bridges.
Read also: Mokwa floods: Residents recount losses as UNICEF, govt offer funds, relief materials to victims
Nigeria’s flood crisis: Tragedy, response, the way forward
The Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have identified 1,249 communities across 176 Local Government Areas in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory as high-risk zones for flooding in 2025. Coastal and riverine areas, including Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and Ondo, are particularly vulnerable.
In response, states like Edo have launched significant erosion and watershed adaptation plans, while Delta has established Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps to mitigate the impact of anticipated floods.
Kashim Shettima, Nigeria’s vice president, conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the flood-affected areas in Mokwa on June 4, 2025. Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, the federal government approved the release of ₦2 billion and 20 trucks of rice to support victims of the disaster.
Despite the efforts, experts have highlighted systemic challenges in Nigeria’s flood management strategies. A study published in ScienceDirect emphasized that while climate change contributes to increased rainfall intensity, human factors such as inadequate infrastructure, poor urban planning, and insufficient disaster preparedness exacerbate the impact of floods.
Experts advocate for a multifaceted approach to flood risk management in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for:
Integrated Flood Risk Management Systems: Developing cohesive strategies that encompass early warning systems, infrastructure development, and community engagement.
Policy Coherence and Institutional Strengthening: Ensuring that policies across various sectors align to effectively address flood risks.
Community-Based Approaches: Leveraging indigenous knowledge and involving local communities in planning and response efforts.
These strategies aim to enhance Nigeria’s resilience to flooding and mitigate future disasters.
Read also: ‘We’ve lost everything’ Mokwa flood victims cry for help as death toll climbs past 100
The Kwara State approach
Kwara State has undertaken various initiatives to mitigate flooding risks and enhance community resilience.
The Kwara State House of Assembly said it has proactively addressed flood risks by summoning the Commissioner for Environment and Forestry to discuss preparedness strategies.
They advocated for a state-wide “Operation Clear Your Drainage” week to ensure free-flowing waterways and prevent blockages.
Additionally, the Assembly emphasized the importance of relocating communities situated along riverbanks to safer areas to avert potential disasters.
In October 2024, the state government launched a sensitisation campaign targeting riverine communities, particularly in Patigi Local Government Area. Led by the Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Musa-Buge, the initiative urged residents to relocate to higher grounds or utilise Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps provided by the government.
The campaign also discouraged river travel during the rainy season and stressed the importance of obtaining proper construction approvals to avoid building on waterways.
The Ministry of Communications’ Department of Public Orientation initiated awareness campaigns, including broadcast jingles and community visits, to educate residents about flood risks.
The government equally established emergency response measures and provided a dedicated helpline (07075752351) for residents to report emergencies and seek assistance. Collaborations with Civil Society Organizations’ HEDA Resource Centre’s Flood Resilience Initiative
The HEDA Resource Centre, in collaboration with OXFAM and funded by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, launched a flood resilience program in Edu and Pategi Local Government Areas.
This initiative focused on training smallholder farmers in flood preparedness, promoting early warning systems, and encouraging community-driven disaster response strategies.
The program aimed to strengthen the adaptive capacities of communities facing severe climate change impacts, particularly floods.
The state government undertook projects such as the continuous dredging of the Asa River, construction of embankments, and desilting of drainages across the state to improve water flow and reduce flood risks.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), implemented grassroots-level flood early warning strategies in Kwara State. These efforts aim to enhance community awareness and preparedness by providing timely information about potential flood events.
