Victims Claim Kainji Dam Water, Not Rain, Caused Deadly Niger Flood
Victims of the recent flood disaster in Mokwa, Niger State, have blamed the release of water from the Kainji Dam for the tragedy that claimed over 150 lives and displaced thousands, insisting the flood was not triggered by rainfall.
The residents, who spoke to SaharaReporters on Friday, said the flood struck in the early hours of May 29, 2025, without any significant rainfall the night before—leading them to believe it was caused by human action and not a natural event.
As of Saturday morning, the death toll had risen above 150, with at least 115 bodies already recovered and many still missing.
Some locals observed that partial flooding had occurred days earlier in New Bussa town, Borgu LGA, while farmers in Mokwa noticed water levels rising across their farmlands but did not anticipate the extent of the devastation that followed.
One victim, AbdulGafar, said he lost everything to the flood and was convinced the disaster was unnatural.
“I believe the flood is not as a result of rainfall. If it was rain, it would have affected us in the middle of the night. It is terrible that we are witnessing this. We’ve had serious erosion before, but this is the worst. I can categorically say this is not rain—it was heavy water that we can link to Kainji Dam,” he said.
Another resident, Salihu Suleiman, who also lost all his belongings, narrated how the water struck unexpectedly.
“This flood is not from rainwater. There was no heavy downpour before the incident. Around 6am, my wife and I woke up to pray. After prayer, we returned to bed. Just minutes later, my mother knocked frantically, shouting that water was coming. I rushed out, called my wife, and we ran. I came out with only my singlet and boxers. I didn’t even take my phone.”
The flood submerged thousands of homes, destroyed over 3,000 houses, and swept away farmlands, leaving many residents stranded.
Kainji Dam, located near New Bussa in Niger State, plays a crucial role in hydroelectric power generation and irrigation but is now at the centre of the blame for one of the deadliest floods in the state’s history.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
