151 Dead, 500 houses affected:Mokwa flood victims blame Kainji Dam release, not rainfall

By Abbas Nazil

The devastating flood that swept through Mokwa in Niger State on May 29, 2025, killing more than 150 people and displacing thousands, is being blamed by victims on the release of water from the Kainji Dam rather than natural rainfall.

Survivors and affected residents insist that the flood struck without warning and in the absence of any significant rainfall the night before, pointing to human activity as the likely cause of the disaster.

As of Saturday morning, rescue teams and local volunteers had recovered at least 115 bodies, with many still unaccounted for.

Entire communities have been submerged, with over 3,000 homes reportedly destroyed and farmlands across the region washed away.

The incident has triggered widespread panic and outrage, with residents demanding accountability and immediate support from the authorities.

Victims recounted how the flood hit suddenly in the early hours of the morning. According to them, there was no heavy downpour preceding the event, leading many to believe the floodwaters were released from the nearby Kainji Dam.

The dam, located close to New Bussa in Borgu Local Government Area, is known for its role in hydroelectric power generation and irrigation, but now faces scrutiny over its management practices.

One of the victims, AbdulGafar, described the disaster as the worst flooding the community had ever witnessed.

He stated categorically that the flood could not have been caused by rain. “If it was rainfall, we would have noticed it in the night.

But there was no rain. What we experienced was a sudden rush of water—so strong, it was clearly not natural. I believe the Kainji Dam was involved,” he said.

Another resident, Salihu Suleiman, shared a harrowing account of how he and his family narrowly escaped death.

“It was around 6 a.m. after morning prayers. My wife and I had just gone back to bed when my mother began shouting that water was coming.

We ran out with nothing—just what we were wearing. I couldn’t even take my phone,” he lamented.

Some residents also noted that partial flooding had occurred days before in New Bussa, which they now interpret as a warning sign.

Farmers in Mokwa reportedly observed water levels rising gradually in their farmlands but did not anticipate the scale of destruction that eventually unfolded.

The disaster has left the region in ruins, with thousands homeless, properties destroyed, and livelihoods lost.

Relief efforts are ongoing, but survivors say more urgent support is needed, especially food, shelter, and medical aid.

The incident raises serious questions about dam management protocols and the communication between authorities and communities downstream.

For the people of Mokwa and surrounding areas, the flood is not just a natural tragedy—it is a disaster they believe could have been prevented.