More than 700 believed dead in devastating Nigeria floods

The death toll from floods in Mokwa, Nigeria, has risen to over 200. More than 500 people are still missing. Local official Musa Kimboku told the BBC that rescue efforts have stopped. Authorities believe no one else can be found alive.

These floods are the worst in the area in 60 years. They hit the Mokwa districts of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa after heavy rains. To prevent disease, officials will soon dig out buried corpses, according to district head Muhammadu Aliyu.

Local residents shared their tragic experiences with the BBC. One man, Adamu Yusuf, lost his wife and newborn baby. He said, “I watched helplessly as water washed away my family.” He survived because he could swim.

Another resident, Saliu Sulaiman, became homeless due to the floods. He lost at least $1,500 from his cash business profits. “I contemplated going back for it,” he said, “but the pressure of the water scared me.”

Some residents believe a nearby dam burst caused the flooding. However, authorities have not confirmed this claim. The floodwaters were so strong that bodies were washed up in Rabba, over an hour's drive from Mokwa.

Mokwa’s Deputy Vice-Chairman Musa Kimboku advised neighboring villages to bury any found corpses. District head Mr. Aliyu noted some bodies were unrecoverable as they had gone "through the River Niger."

On Sunday, the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) began providing relief packages to affected people. They also reported damage to roads and bridges affecting local traffic and economy.

The Nigerian Red Cross stated that these floods caused significant loss of life and widespread distress. Flooding is common during Nigeria's rainy season from April to October.

In 2024, heavy rain caused flooding that resulted in deaths and displacement. Severe flooding also occurred in 2022 when over 600 people died and 1.3 million were displaced.