Mokwa Flood Death Toll Hits 200, Over 500 Missing Amid Suspected Kainji Dam Discharge

The death toll from the devastating flood that struck Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State has reportedly risen to at least 200, with over 500 people still missing, according to updated figures from local sources.

Rescue operations are reportedly slowing down, with authorities fearing that the chances of finding survivors are increasingly slim.

While initial reports suggested natural causes, residents insist the flood was not caused by rainfall, but rather a suspected release of water from the Kainji Dam—a major hydroelectric facility located upstream on the Niger River near New Bussa.

Survivors in Mokwa town, the LGA headquarters, recounted how the flood struck without warning on the morning of May 29, 2025, with no significant rainfall the night before.

“We’ve experienced erosion before, but nothing like this,” said AbdulGafar, a local victim who lost everything in the flood. “There was no rain. The water came suddenly and with force. We believe it came from Kainji Dam.”

Another victim, Salihu Suleiman, echoed the same account.

“There was no downpour. Around 6 a.m., after our morning prayer, my mother came knocking and screaming. Water was rushing in. My wife and I fled with nothing—just my singlet and boxers. Everything else is gone.”

In the days leading up to the flood, farmers and residents in Mokwa had noticed rising water levels in nearby farmlands. Neighboring New Bussa in Borgu LGA had also experienced partial flooding, fueling suspicion that the dam’s gates may have been opened without public warning.

The flood has destroyed over 3,000 homes, submerged entire communities, and displaced thousands, leaving them without shelter, food, or medical care. Several farmlands were also washed away, compounding fears of a looming food crisis in the region.

The Kainji Dam, built in the 1960s, plays a critical role in Nigeria’s power generation and irrigation, but its operations have increasingly come under scrutiny due to poor communication protocols and lack of early warning systems during water releases.

No official statement has yet confirmed or denied whether a controlled dam release occurred on or before the day of the disaster. As of now, neither the Niger State government nor the Kainji Dam authorities have publicly addressed the residents’ accusations.

Humanitarian groups have called for urgent federal intervention, not just in terms of relief supplies and medical aid, but also a transparent investigation into the cause of the disaster and accountability for those affected.