Two More Bodies Recovered Weeks After Deadly Mokwa Flood

Fourteen days after a catastrophic flood struck Mokwa town in Niger State, emergency teams have recovered two more decomposed bodies of flood victims. The town, which serves as the headquarters of Mokwa Local Government Area, experienced widespread destruction after intense rainfall submerged homes and critical infrastructure on May 29.

The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed on Thursday that the remains were found downstream from a bridge. Arah explained that heavy rainfall the previous day had washed away sand dunes that had hidden the bodies, allowing rescue workers to locate them.

“These bodies were severely decomposed and found below the bridge. Yesterday’s rain helped expose them by eroding the sand that had concealed them,” he told Daily Trust.

The state government earlier disclosed that over 700 residents are still unaccounted for, with the confirmed death toll now standing at 207. Additionally, the flood has displaced more than 3,000 households and caused severe damage to about 400 structures, including 283 homes and 50 shops.

Speaking through Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba during a condolence visit by former presidential security chief Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Governor Umar Bago described the disaster as a national emergency. He noted that professional bodies are currently conducting investigations to determine the underlying causes of the flooding.

Major Al-Mustapha, who led a delegation of sympathizers from across Nigeria, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged collaborative efforts to prevent such tragedies in the future. The delegation is also expected to meet with traditional leaders in Mokwa to further support recovery efforts.