NEMA Provides Relief to Flood Victims in Niger State…….
By Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has delivered critical relief materials to victims of the recent flood disaster in the Kpege area of Mokwa, Niger State. The flood, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, resulted in significant destruction—claiming lives, displacing residents, and damaging property and livelihoods.
In a statement issued by NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the agency described the intervention as part of its swift and comprehensive response to the unprecedented flooding. The statement confirmed that search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
Following the disaster, NEMA activated its Minna Operations Office and deployed additional technical teams and equipment from its headquarters in Abuja. This included the Director of Search and Rescue, who joined field personnel to support ongoing efforts.
Search and rescue teams from NEMA’s Minna office and Abuja headquarters remain on the ground, working alongside the Nigerian Red Cross, local volunteers, and divers to rescue survivors and recover the bodies of those who drowned. As of Friday, at least 100 bodies had been recovered, according to an assessment led by the Director General herself.
The hardest-hit areas have been identified as Unguwan Hausawa and Tiffin Maza, both located within Mokwa township.
Rescue operations have been further supported by equipment such as Mobile Intensive Care Ambulances, Rapid Intervention Vehicles, and mobile units for water treatment and extrication. Injured individuals were promptly evacuated to nearby health centers, where they received treatment and many have since been discharged. Others were treated on-site with first aid.
A joint response team—including NEMA, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross, local volunteers, and divers—continues to operate in the affected areas. Security support is being provided by the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Military Disaster Response Units from the nearby Kainji military base. These agencies are helping to ensure public safety, manage crowds, and secure emergency operations.
In addition to rescue efforts, NEMA has distributed relief supplies such as food items, household utensils, tents for temporary shelter, and clean drinking water produced by mobile water treatment units.
The relief materials were formally handed over to the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Comrade Yakubu Garba, at the disaster site. He expressed appreciation for NEMA’s prompt response and commended Mrs. Umar for her personal visit to Mokwa to assess the situation and oversee ongoing efforts.
Emergency teams remain alert for any secondary hazards, and members of the public are urged to stay vigilant and report any unusual developments to NEMA, SEMA, or local security agencies.
A detailed post-disaster assessment will be conducted to inform long-term recovery and reconstruction plans.