The death toll from widespread floods in central Nigeria rose to more than 150 people on Saturday, local emergency services reported.

After torrential rains earlier in the week, flood waters have swept away more than 50 homes in the market town of Mokwa in the central Niger State.

Ibrahim Audu Husseini, spokesperson for the Niger State emergency agency told AFP on Friday that he "expected the toll to rise considerably because there are different rescuers at different locations."

Additionally, more than 3,000 people have been displaced.

Bola Tinubu offers condolences

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu offered his condolences to those affected and said federal agencies had been instructed to help with the emergency response.

"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the affected families and the good people of Niger State at this difficult time," he said on social media.

"Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and all relevant federal agencies have been mobilized to support the state government’s efforts," Tinubu added. 

"Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay."

Why is flooding so dangerous in Nigeria?

Mokwa is a key local hub for traders from the south of the country and farmers from the north. It is located around 220 kilometers (140 miles) west of the capital Abuja.

The flooding was triggered by several hours of heavy rain, with the collapse of a nearby dam exacerbating the situation.

Nigeria's Meteorological Agency warned of possible flash floods in 15 of Nigeria's 36 states, including Niger State, between Wednesday and Friday.

Nigeria's rainy season has only just started and normally lasts around six months.

The annual occurrence regularly kills hundreds of people. A lack of drainage, the construction of homes on waterways and the dumping of waste in drains and water channels all make the flooding worse.

Nigeria suffered one of its worst disasters in decades in 2024, with flooding killing more than 1,200 people and displacing another 1.2 million.

The flooding, which impacted 31 of the country's 36 states, also destroyed more than 1.4 million hectares (3.5 million acres) of farmland.

Edited by: Wesley Dockery, Zac Crellin