Peter Obi Visits Flood-Ravaged Niger State, Donates ₦20m to Support Victims

A catastrophic flood has devastated Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State, claiming at least 153 lives and displacing over 3,000 residents, according to emergency officials.

In response to the tragedy, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi visited the affected communities on Monday, June 2, 2025, to offer his condolences and pledge support for recovery efforts. Accompanied by former minister Nenadi Usman and his spokesperson Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Obi met with state officials and victims to express solidarity.

"Today, along with @SenNenadiUsman and Dr @YunusaTanko, I travelled to Niger State to condole and show solidarity with the Governor and the good people of the state over the devastating floods in the Mokwa area,” Obi wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

He shared that he had earlier reached out to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago from the UK to express his sympathies before traveling to the state, where he was received by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba.

During the visit, Obi emphasized the severity of the disaster, noting that over 200 lives may have been lost, about 1,000 people remain missing, and more than 3,000 have been displaced. Entire communities have been leveled, with infrastructure—including at least three bridges—severely damaged.

In a bid to support relief efforts, Obi announced an initial ₦20 million donation, pledging to continue his assistance as recovery progresses.

“This is not just a tragedy for Niger State—it is a national concern,” Obi said. “We must act as one family, standing together in times of grief. I urge the Federal Government, emergency agencies, and fellow Nigerians to rally around the victims.”

He concluded with prayers for healing and strength for the bereaved families and called for urgent national action to address the worsening flood crisis.

Rising Casualties and Widespread Devastation

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed that 153 people had died and over 3,000 were displaced due to the floods, which were triggered by heavy rainfall from Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The death toll rose sharply after more bodies were discovered under a collapsed bridge.

While areas like Ndayako and Raba recorded no fatalities, they suffered serious structural damage. Eleven people were also injured in the floods.

Ibrahim Hussaini, NSEMA’s acting director general, said access to some communities remains limited, with submerged roads and collapsed bridges complicating rescue and relief efforts. Heavy equipment may be needed to continue search operations, particularly for those still missing.

Tragic personal losses are mounting. Mohammed Tanko, a local civil servant, revealed that 15 members of his extended family perished, and his childhood home was destroyed.

Red Cross officials on the ground affirmed their commitment to ongoing recovery work, stressing the urgency of responding to grieving families and searching for survivors.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had previously warned of potential flash floods in 15 states, including Niger. So far in 2024 alone, floods have claimed 321 lives across 34 states—a stark reminder of the country’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather events.