As search and rescue efforts persist in the aftermath of the devastating flood that struck the Kpege area of Mokwa, Niger State, in the early hours of Thursday, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has delivered critical relief materials to assist those displaced by the disaster.
This development was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, and shared with the press.
Umar explained that the intervention forms part of a rapid and coordinated response to the unprecedented flooding, which has claimed numerous lives, destroyed homes, and disrupted livelihoods in the affected communities.
Following an on-site assessment conducted Friday by a NEMA team led by Umar herself, it was confirmed that at least 100 bodies have so far been recovered. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing.
She noted that several injured individuals were taken to nearby health centres in Mokwa, where they received treatment and were subsequently discharged. Some victims were also administered first aid at the scene of the disaster.
The worst-hit locations, according to Umar, are the Unguwan Hausawa and Tiffin Maza neighborhoods, both within Mokwa township.
In response to the crisis, NEMA announced the activation of its Minna Operations Office and the deployment of additional technical personnel and equipment from its Abuja Headquarters. This includes the Director of Search and Rescue, dispatched to support and reinforce field operations.
NEMA’s teams from both the Minna office and Abuja headquarters are working alongside the Nigerian Red Cross and local volunteers, providing continued assistance on the ground.
Key equipment deployed includes a Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance, Rapid Intervention Vehicles, and Mobile Water Treatment and Extrication units to support emergency and rescue activities.
“The dedication of the rescue teams—including personnel from NEMA, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, local volunteers, and divers—deserves commendation for their efforts in rescuing survivors and recovering the bodies of those lost to the flood,” the statement said.
Security agencies are also fully engaged in the response. Personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Military Disaster Response Units (DRUs) from the nearby Kainji military base are on site, supporting life-saving efforts and maintaining order through effective crowd control and security measures.
Ongoing relief operations include the distribution of food items, household supplies, and tents for temporary shelter. NEMA also deployed mobile water treatment units to supply clean drinking water to affected populations.
The relief materials were formally handed over to the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, at the disaster site. These include both food and non-food items intended to support displaced residents.
The statement emphasized the importance of continued vigilance, noting that emergency responders are monitoring for potential secondary hazards. The public was advised to report emergencies or suspicious developments to NEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), or local security officials.
Finally, NEMA confirmed that a full post-disaster assessment would follow, aimed at informing recovery and reconstruction strategies.
