Daniel Otera
Despite the heartbreak of a deadly flood that claimed over 200 lives and displaced thousands in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, hundreds of Muslim faithful gathered on Friday to observe the solemn Eid-el-Kabir prayer at the Dzuko Eid ground.
Led by the Chief Imam of Mokwa, Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Mohammed, the two Rakat prayer drew worshippers from across flood-ravaged communities, determined to mark the holy festival with spiritual resilience even as traditional Sallah festivities were suspended across the state.
In a directive issued by the Niger State Government ahead of the Eid, all public celebrations including the iconic Durbar and Hawan Bariki processions in Minna and Bida were cancelled “as a mark of respect” for victims of the Mokwa flood.
The announcement, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, urged citizens to replace pageantry with reflection and prayer.
Speaking to the congregation, the Secretary of the Mokwa Central Mosque, Baba Tswale Mokwa, echoed the government’s call for unity and prayer.
He also announced a special intercessory session for the deceased and the displaced, calling on residents to support ongoing humanitarian efforts.
The flood, which struck Mokwa on 29 May following days of heavy rainfall and the overflow of the River Kaduna tributary, has been described as one of Niger’s worst natural disasters in decades.
Emergency data compiled by state authorities and humanitarian relief trackers reveal the staggering human and infrastructural toll of the Mokwa flood. Over 200 people have been confirmed dead, while at least 3,018 residents have been rendered homeless.
The disaster affected no fewer than 503 families, with widespread loss of livelihoods as farmland and livestock were submerged across several communities.
Additionally, three major bridges were destroyed, further crippling access to aid and isolating many of the flood-hit areas.
Preliminary satellite imagery from the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) indicates that water levels in the flood zone reached historic highs, inundating both agricultural land and residential clusters in and around Mokwa.
The disaster severed key access routes, complicating relief operations and isolating several rural communities. Residents in Sheshigi, Wuya, and Kudu Wurugi have reported challenges in receiving food and clean water, raising concerns about an emerging health crisis.
The devastation that struck Mokwa Local Government Area did not occur without warning. As far back as April 2025, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had listed Mokwa among 19 high-risk Local Government Areas in Niger State vulnerable to severe flooding during the rainy season.
The 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), published by NIHSA and referenced in government advisories, highlighted the town’s proximity to the River Kaduna tributary and its history of flooding as significant factors contributing to its vulnerability.
The report projected that over 1,249 communities across 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory could experience flooding, with Mokwa identified as one of the most exposed settlements.
According to the publication on NIHSA’s official website, the high-risk classification was based on hydrological and topographical data modelling. Mokwa was explicitly marked due to recurring incidents of river overflow, inadequate drainage infrastructure, and unregulated human settlement along flood plains.
The Federal Ministry of Information also cited NIHSA’s warning in a May 2025 advisory, urging state and local governments to activate early warning systems and enforce preparedness measures in high-risk areas. (Source)
These official warnings raised red flags about the adequacy of Nigeria’s flood mitigation systems. Despite the predictions, large-scale preventive measures such as community evacuation drills, flood barrier reinforcements, or early warning broadcasts were largely absent or ineffective.
In September 2024, a similar rainfall-induced disaster displaced 4,255 people across Niger, with Mokwa, Lavun, and Agaie among the hardest hit.
The pattern has made floods an annual crisis in the state.
In a rare moment of cultural pause, traditional Durbar parades were suspended in towns known for their elaborate Sallah celebrations. The Durbar, especially prominent in Bida and Minna, typically showcases Northern Nigeria’s rich Islamic heritage through royal horseback processions and large community gatherings.
This year, the silence replaced fanfare. The Bago administration directed religious and traditional leaders to observe a subdued festival with focus on prayer, charity, and support for displaced citizens.
Mokwa’s Dzuko Eid ground was a powerful symbol of this shift crowded not with celebration, but with solemn prayer and remembrance.
The growing frequency and intensity of floods in Niger have placed the state on the list of Nigeria’s most disaster-prone regions.
According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and the 2025 Nigeria Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan published by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Niger State ranks among the top Nigerian states experiencing environment-related displacement.
These assessments highlight the growing impact of flooding and other climate-related disasters on vulnerable populations across the region.
Governor Umar Bago has pledged increased support for flood victims and long-term investment in flood defences.
