Adamu Yusuf, 36, lost nine family members—including his wife and newborn—in the early hours of May 29, when devastating floods hit Tiffin Maza, one of the worst-affected communities in Mokwa, Niger State.
Adamu recounted how his wife woke him up as floodwaters surged into their home. “My wife woke me up when the flood came. I quickly gathered my family and told them to hold each other tightly. As we stepped outside, water had already filled the compound,” Adamu told the BBC. “They panicked, and we got disconnected. I watched helplessly as water washed away my family. I survived because I could swim. It was God that saved me.”
His wife had only just returned home a day before the disaster, after spending weeks at her parents’ house following childbirth. Now, Adamu owns nothing but the clothes he wears—gifted by a friend.
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The death toll from the disaster has risen above 200, according to local officials. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed 151 deaths by Saturday, but by Sunday, local officials reported over 200 fatalities. A foul stench lingers in the community, believed to be from bodies buried under the mud.
In nearby Anguwan Hausawa, similar tragedies unfolded. Nineteen-year-old Isa Muhammed shared that his teacher, along with eight family members, was swept away. Only two bodies—one being a baby—have been recovered.
Another survivor, 65-year-old Ramat Sulaiman, tearfully recalled how over 100 children from a nearby Quranic school were lost. “The children cried for help, but the building collapsed and swept them away,” she said.
Many residents insist the flood was not caused by rain. “The rain had already subsided. Suddenly, I saw water rushing down, scattering everything,” said Muhammed. Several believe it was triggered by a release from the Kainji Dam.
“I came out with only my singlet and boxers. Not even my phone,” said Salihu Suleiman. “This is not ordinary rainwater.”
“We’ve not had it this bad. We’ve been experiencing erosion, a serious one of that,” said victim AbdulGafar, who lost everything.
