The town of Mokwa in central Nigeria has been left devastated after floodwaters swept through the community in the early hours of Thursday, May 29, killing at least 151 people and uprooting thousands from their homes.

The sudden deluge, triggered by intense predawn rainfall, wreaked havoc in Mokwa, destroying homes, cutting off infrastructure, and displacing more than 3,000 residents, as the New York Post reports.

Mokwa, a bustling trading center in Niger State roughly 236 miles west of the capital Abuja, experienced rapid flooding that left residents waist-deep in water within a matter of hours. Communities known for agricultural trade, particularly in beans and onions, became scenes of destruction as floodwaters submerged homes, markets, and roads.

Rescue efforts began immediately after daylight revealed the extent of the damage, with emergency crews overwhelmed by the number of victims and the extent of the destruction. According to Ibrahim Audu Husseini, the spokesperson for Niger State’s emergency services, 11 others were injured and hundreds of households in three communities were affected. Two main roads and two major bridges were destroyed, hindering access to the worst-hit areas for responders and aid workers.

Frantic rescue efforts hampered

Authorities explained that the flood began sometime before dawn and escalated rapidly, overwhelming local defenses. Husseini noted that the rising water submerged vast portions of the town in just five hours, giving people little time to escape. “Two roads were washed away and two bridges collapsed,” he confirmed, underscoring the level of infrastructural damage and how it complicated efforts to reach those in need.

Federal authorities responded to the crisis swiftly. On Friday evening, President Bola Tinubu issued an official statement expressing condolences to the affected families and announcing that relief materials and emergency shelter support were being dispatched immediately. He also pledged that affected Nigerians would receive help, stating, “Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay,” and that “no Nigerian affected will be left behind or unheard of.”

Security agencies were also directed to aid search and recovery missions, particularly in harder-to-reach locations. With some rural sections of Mokwa virtually cut off, officials remain concerned that more victims may be found in the coming days.

Floods grow increasingly unmanageable

Flooding during Nigeria’s wet season is an increasingly frequent threat, with experts pointing to climate change as a driving factor. In regions like Mokwa, communities experience long dry spells followed by intense rainfall, leading to deadly flash floods. The lack of adequate flood-control infrastructure leaves many residents continually vulnerable.

Local leaders voiced frustration over the town’s long-standing inability to manage such disasters. Jibril Muregi, the chairman of the Mokwa local government area, said that flood mitigation works had been neglected for too long. “Construction of flood-control works was long overdue,” he told Nigeria’s Premium Times.

Community leader Aliki Musa also emphasized how unprepared residents were, stating that they were simply “not used to such flooding.” The suddenness and force of the event, he noted, made it impossible for people to evacuate safely or salvage their belongings.

Citizens remain missing

Even by Saturday, May 31, many residents remained displaced and uncertain about the fate of their loved ones. Emergency shelters provided by the government were quickly overwhelmed, and aid organizations scrambled to meet the needs of the estimated 3,000 people made homeless by the flood.

Volunteers reported an emotional scene as survivors awaited news about missing family members, particularly in isolated pockets not reached by aid convoys due to road and bridge damage. Emergency teams with boats and helicopters are expected to continue search operations into the new week, especially in outlying areas where communication has been lost.

Meanwhile, transportation and trade in the region have ground to a halt. With critical infrastructure impaired, many traders were unable to move produce, further aggravating an already fragile local economy heavily dependent on agricultural commerce.

Lessons to learn

1. Prepare for extreme weather events: Communities must increasingly account for unpredictable and severe weather events driven by climate change. Even traditionally dry regions should have flood warning systems and evacuation plans in place.

2. Invest in infrastructure before catastrophe strikes: Effective flood-control structures, including drainage systems, embankments, and modern roads, can mean the difference between inconvenience and disaster. As seen in Mokwa, delaying these investments can have deadly consequences.

3. Empower local emergency response teams: In crises where outside help may be delayed by poor access, local teams with training and equipment can provide immediate life-saving assistance. Ensuring these teams are well-supported builds long-term resilience. Still, it's important to remember that no matter how many precautions are taken, disasters and tragedies can affect anyone, and blame should never fall on the victims.

Why this story matters

This tragedy highlights the growing threat floods pose to communities across Nigeria, especially as climate variability becomes more extreme.

It reveals the vulnerabilities rural populations face when infrastructure is neglected.

Most importantly, the story serves as a wake-up call, urging urgent investment in climate adaptation and emergency preparedness measures to protect lives and livelihoods.