Flood Killed One, Mother, Baby Swept Away in Zaria

By Emmanuel Kwada

A catastrophic flood triggered by a heavy downpour has claimed at least one life and left a mother, her three-year-old baby, and a motorcyclist missing in Tudun Jukun, Zaria, Kaduna State. The tragic incident, which unfolded on the main Gaskiya road near a church, has left the community reeling, exposing the dire consequences of inadequate drainage systems and urban planning in Nigeria’s flood-prone regions.

According to eyewitness Mustapha Badamasi, a resident of Tudun Jukun, the disaster occurred when floodwaters overwhelmed a large drainage system along Gaskiya road. “The water submerged the big drainage by the roadside, turning it into a deadly trap,” Badamasi recounted. “It was chaos—people were trying to move, but the current was too strong.”

The water submerged the big drainage by the roadside, turning it into a deadly trap

The victim identified as Yusuf Surajo, known locally as Abba, was recovered from the floodwaters with a fatal injury to his forehead. Imam Mallam Musa Umar Al Mishawi, who led the funeral prayer at Kwarin Dangoma, confirmed that the deceased, a resident of Gidan Dangoma in Tudun Jukun, was laid to rest on the morning of September 7 in accordance with Islamic rites. “It’s a painful loss for the community,” the imam said solemnly.

Among the missing are Fatima Sani Danmarke, a young mother, and her three-year-old baby, alongside an unnamed motorcyclist. Badamasi narrated the harrowing moment when the tragedy unfolded: “The motorcyclist was carrying the woman and her baby shortly after the rain. He hit the edge of the drainage, and as he struggled, the woman jumped off the bike to escape. She tried to cross the drainage on foot, but she slipped, and the water swept her and the baby away instantly. The motorcyclist was also pulled under by the current.”

He risked his life to save them, but the water was too powerful

In a heartbreaking twist, a good Samaritan who dove into the raging waters to rescue the victims was also swept away, underscoring the perilous conditions. “He risked his life to save them, but the water was too powerful,” Badamasi said, his voice heavy with grief. “We could only watch helplessly as they disappeared.”

The incident highlights the growing threat of flooding in Nigeria, exacerbated by climate change, poor urban infrastructure, and blocked drainage systems. Zaria, like many Nigerian cities, has struggled with recurrent flooding, with clogged drains and unplanned settlements amplifying the risks. Residents of Tudun Jukun have long complained about the inadequate drainage along Gaskiya road, which turns into a river during heavy rains.

“We’ve been begging the government to fix this drainage for years,” said Aisha Bello, a shopkeeper near the site. “Every rainy season, we live in fear. Now we’ve lost our people, and a mother and her baby are still out there somewhere. It’s heartbreaking.”

Efforts to contact the Zaria Zonal Coordinator of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for comment were unsuccessful, as their phone line was unreachable at the time of this report. The absence of an immediate response from authorities has fueled frustration among residents, who are calling for urgent action to prevent further tragedies.

We’ve been begging the government to fix this drainage for years

The flood in Zaria is part of a broader wave of flooding across Nigeria in 2025, with over 500,000 people affected and thousands displaced nationwide, according to recent reports. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had warned of heavy rainfall in Kaduna State this season, yet local preparedness appears to have fallen short.

As search efforts continue for Fatima, her baby, and the motorcyclist, the Tudun Jukun community mourns its losses and grapples with fear of further rains. “We need help now—better drains, emergency response teams, something,” Badamasi pleaded. “If nothing is done, more people will die.”

We need help now—better drains, emergency response teams, something

The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved infrastructure and disaster management in Nigeria. Until these issues are addressed, communities like Tudun Jukun remain at the mercy of nature’s wrath, with lives hanging in the balance every time the rains come.