The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has responded swiftly to the devastating flood that struck the Kpege area of Mokwa, Niger State, in the early hours of Thursday, with the delivery of emergency relief items and the deployment of search and rescue teams.
In a statement signed on Friday by the agency’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, NEMA confirmed that the disaster has so far claimed over 100 lives, with search and rescue operations still ongoing. The flood, which affected the Unguwan Hausawa and Tiffin Maza neighborhoods in Mokwa township, has destroyed homes and disrupted livelihoods.
Umar, who led an on-site assessment, disclosed that many of the injured had received treatment at local health centres and were discharged, while others were given first aid at the scene. She described the agency’s response as a “swift and comprehensive intervention,” aimed at addressing the immediate humanitarian needs of displaced residents.
NEMA has activated its Minna Operations Office and deployed additional personnel and equipment from its Abuja Headquarters, including the Director of Search and Rescue, to bolster rescue efforts. Among the equipment sent are Mobile Intensive Care Ambulances, Rapid Intervention Vehicles, Mobile Water Treatment Units, and Extrication equipment.
The agency praised the collaboration among NEMA teams, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, local volunteers, and divers, who have been instrumental in rescuing trapped individuals and recovering the deceased.
Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Military Disaster Response Units from the Kainji military formation, are also on ground, providing crowd control and ensuring the safety of both survivors and emergency personnel.
To further alleviate the suffering of the displaced, NEMA has delivered food supplies, household items, and tents for temporary shelter. Clean drinking water is also being provided through the agency’s mobile water treatment systems.
The relief materials were officially handed over to Niger State’s Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, at the disaster site.
NEMA advised residents to remain alert for secondary hazards and report any emergencies to authorities. A comprehensive post-disaster assessment will be conducted to guide long-term recovery and reconstruction initiatives.
What you should know
NEMA has recovered over 100 bodies and deployed emergency relief to flood-affected communities in Mokwa, Niger State. Rescue operations continue with support from local and federal agencies, and a full post-disaster assessment will follow.
