The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, has debunked claims linking the recent flood disaster in Mokwa, Niger State, to water releases from the Kainji and Jebba Dams.
He clarified this during a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, where he attributed the tragic incident to extreme weather conditions and non-adherence to flood warnings.
The Minister expressed the Federal Government’s condolences to the people and government of Niger State over the losses, deaths, and displacement caused by the flood.
“The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation extends its heartfelt sympathy and solidarity to the Government and the good people of Niger State, especially the affected communities in Mokwa. I like to emphasise that the flood was not caused by water releases from either the Kainji or Jebba dams and that both dams are intact and safe,” Utsev said.
According to him, the flooding in Mokwa town was primarily driven by intense rainfall due to extreme weather conditions, a growing global challenge linked to climate change.
He added that the situation was worsened by unregulated buildings and construction activities that blocked a seasonal tributary of River Dingi, a smaller water body connected to the River Niger.
“The absence of efficient alternative pathways to redirect the excess water further worsened the flood’s impact on the communities,” he explained.
Utsev referenced the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) released by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) on April 10, which had already predicted possible flooding in 19 Local Government Areas of Niger State, including Mokwa.
The AFO also identified 1,249 communities across 176 LGAs in 33 states and the FCT as high flood risk areas, with 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs in 31 states, including the FCT, classified as moderate flood risk areas.
States listed in the High Flood Risk category include: 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.
Utsev urged state and local governments to heed the AFO’s warnings and take urgent measures to prevent further disasters, which he said include strengthening drainage systems, relocating at-risk communities, launching public awareness campaigns, and enforcing land-use regulations to curb construction in flood-prone areas.
The Minister said, “The AFO provides a comprehensive overview of the flood risks beyond the LGAs to actual communities, expected flood levels, and recommended adaptation and mitigation measures. We urge stakeholders to consult the dashboard at https://nihsa.gov.ng/flood-forecast-dashboard for updated information.”
He further stressed the increasing impacts of climate change on Nigeria’s water systems and warned that extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and river flooding are becoming more frequent and severe.
“As a Ministry, we remain fully committed to managing the nation’s water resources in a sustainable and climate-resilient manner. We call on all stakeholders—government agencies, private sector, civil society organizations, and community leaders—to work together in building safer, more resilient communities,” Utsev said.
He disclosed that technical teams from NIHSA, the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority (UNRBDA), and the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) are currently on ground in Mokwa conducting detailed assessments to determine the precise cause and extent of the flooding.
NEWSNGR reported that the Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) on Sunday June 1, released an update on the devastating flood disaster in Mokwa town, in Mokwa Local government area.
Dr Ibrahim Hussaini, Overseeing Director General of NSEMA, said 155 bodies have been recovered so far in the disaster.
He said that the bodies were buried in the early hours of Sunday.
The flood incident occurred on Wednesday, May 28, after a downpour which also destroyed property worth millions of Naira.
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