The heartbreaking loss of life in Mokwa, Niger State, was not a random act of nature, but a preventable disaster that should serve as a stark warning to communities across Nigeria. According to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, the catastrophe was a direct consequence of predictable factors, and the same deadly conditions exist in thousands of towns and villages nationwide.
While clarifying that the Kainji and Jebba Dams were not responsible, the Minister presented a sobering analysis of the event, painting a picture of a tragedy that was forecasted months in advance.
A Blueprint for Disaster: What Really Happened in Mokwa
The official investigation reveals a fatal combination of factors:
- Extreme Rainfall: Climate change-fueled downpours overwhelmed the area.
- Critical Infrastructure Failure: The flood’s impact was severely amplified because unregulated construction had completely blocked a local waterway, the River Dingi tributary. With nowhere to go, the water inundated the community.
This wasn’t a failure of a major dam, but a failure of local planning and enforcement.
The Unheeded Alarm Bell
Perhaps the most tragic element is that this was a predictable event. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) explicitly sounded the alarm on April 10, 2025. Their Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) report identified Mokwa by name as one of 19 high-risk areas in Niger State alone.
This specific, official warning highlights a critical breakdown between prediction and prevention.
A Nationwide Red Alert
The threat is not isolated to Mokwa. The same government report warns that 3,436 communities across Nigeria are currently sitting in high or moderate-risk flood zones.
The 33 states flagged as having High Flood Risk Areas include major economic and population centers, putting millions of lives and livelihoods in jeopardy. These states are: Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
An Urgent Checklist for Survival
Using the Mokwa disaster as a backdrop, Minister Utsev issued not just recommendations, but an urgent blueprint for action for every state and local government. The message is clear: act now, or risk a repeat of this tragedy. The essential actions are:
- Clear and Fortify Waterways: Immediately strengthen and clear all drainage infrastructure.
- Enforce the Law: Stop all encroachment and unregulated building on floodplains and natural water channels.
- Relocate and Protect: Move vulnerable populations out of high-risk zones.
- Educate and Warn: Sustain powerful public awareness campaigns so citizens understand the risks and know how to respond.
The lesson from Mokwa is unambiguous. This is a national issue that demands immediate, local action. The time for reactive condolences is over; the time for proactive preparation is now.
