Mokwa Flooding Death Toll Rises to 200, Over 500 Still Missing

The death toll from the devastating flooding in Mokwa, a local government area in Niger State, has reportedly climbed to at least 200, according to the latest figures.

The BBC reports that more than 500 people remain missing, with fears growing that the chances of finding additional survivors are dwindling. Rescue efforts have significantly slowed, as authorities express concern that those still unaccounted for may not have survived.

Victims of the Mokwa flood disaster claimed the catastrophic event—now responsible for at least 200 deaths and the displacement of thousands—was not caused by rainfall but by a suspected release of water from the Kainji Dam.

Residents had noted that the flood in Mokwa, the headquarters of Mokwa Local Government Area, said the flood, which struck in the early hours of May 29, 2025, occurred without any significant rainfall the night before. This has led many to suspect the flooding was not natural.

Several locals also noted that, in the days leading up to the incident, parts of New Bussa town in Borgu LGA experienced minor flooding. Some farmers in Mokwa reported observing rising water levels on their farmlands but did not anticipate the scale of the disaster that would follow.

One of the victims, AbdulGafar, who lost all his possessions in the flood, insisted the water’s arrival was sudden and unnatural.

“I believe the flood was not due to rainfall. If it were, it would have come during the night with heavy downpour. This is terrible—something we never imagined could happen in our lifetime.”

He added that although the community had experienced serious erosion in the past, nothing had prepared them for this level of destruction.

“We’ve never had it this bad. Yes, we’ve dealt with erosion—serious erosion—but this is the worst disaster we’ve ever faced. I can say categorically that this wasn’t from rain. The volume and force of water suggest it might be linked to the Kainji Dam.”

Another victim, Salihu Suleiman, who also lost his home and livelihood, supported this claim, stating that there had been no significant rainfall before the flood.

“This flood is not from rainwater. There was no heavy downpour before the incident. Around 6 a.m., my wife and I had just finished praying the Subh prayer and gone back to bed when my mother came knocking frantically, shouting that water was coming. I called my wife, and we ran. We couldn’t take anything—not even my phone. I escaped with just my singlet and boxers.”

Bill Gates to Donate Majority of Wealth to Africa

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has pledged to spend the bulk of his vast fortune on improving health and education across Africa over the next two decades.

Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the 69-year-old philanthropist emphasized the transformative power of investing in human potential. “By unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity,” Gates said.

He also called on Africa’s young innovators to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to revolutionize healthcare, much like mobile technology revolutionized banking on the continent.

Last month, Gates announced plans to give away 99% of his estimated $200 billion fortune by 2045, at which point the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will conclude its operations. The majority of this funding, he said, will be directed toward addressing critical challenges in Africa. “I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years. The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa,” he told an audience at the AU.

Gates’ renewed focus on Africa comes at a time when international aid is under pressure. The U.S. government has scaled back funding to the continent, including programs for HIV/AIDS treatment, under the “America First” policy initiated by former President Donald Trump. This has raised serious concerns about the future of healthcare support in many African nations.

Mozambique’s former First Lady, Graça Machel, welcomed Gates’ commitment, calling it timely and vital. “We are counting on Mr Gates’ steadfast commitment to continue walking this path of transformation alongside us,” she said.

The Gates Foundation will focus on strengthening primary healthcare systems, with a particular emphasis on maternal and child health. “What we’ve learned is that helping the mother be healthy and have great nutrition before and during pregnancy delivers the strongest results,” Gates said. “Ensuring children receive proper nutrition in their first four years makes all the difference.”

Gates also encouraged the continent’s youth to embrace AI as a tool for building next-generation healthcare systems. He cited Rwanda as a leader in the region, using AI-enabled ultrasound technology to identify high-risk pregnancies. “Africa largely skipped traditional banking—and now you have the chance to build your healthcare systems with AI from the ground up,” he said.

According to the Gates Foundation, its work over the next 20 years will be driven by three core priorities: ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies; ensuring the next generation grows up free from deadly infectious diseases; and lifting millions out of poverty through health and education.

“At the end of 20 years, the foundation will sunset its operations,” the foundation said in a statement.

In a recent blog post, Gates reiterated his commitment to giving generously—and purposefully. “People will say a lot of things about me when I die,” he wrote. “But I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them.”

Eight Injured as Man Throw Firebombs into Colorado Crowd

Eight people were injured on Sunday in Boulder, Colorado, when a 45-year-old man allegedly shouted “Free Palestine” and threw incendiary devices(Firebombs) into a crowd gathered for a pro-Israel demonstration, authorities said.

The incident took place at the Pearl Street Mall, a popular pedestrian shopping area near the University of Colorado. The event was organized by Run for Their Lives, a group that has held weekly walks since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel to draw attention to Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

In a statement, the organization noted that the walks had been conducted peacefully until now, saying they had occurred “without any violent incidents until today.”

According to Boulder police, the victims included four women and four men, ranging in age from 52 to 88. All were transported to local hospitals. Initial reports had placed the number of injured at six, with at least one person in critical condition.

Authorities quickly identified the suspect as Mohamed Soliman, who was hospitalized shortly after the attack. “As a result of these preliminary facts, it is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism,” said Mark Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Denver Field Office. Reuters reported that it could not immediately locate contact information for Soliman or his family.

FBI Director Kash Patel echoed that assessment, describing the incident as a “targeted terror attack.” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser also weighed in, stating it appeared to be “a hate crime given the group that was targeted.”

Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said the investigation so far points to a lone attacker. “We’re fairly confident we have the lone suspect in custody,” he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, saying in a statement that the victims were assaulted “simply because they were Jews.” He added that he expected U.S. authorities to bring the suspect to justice, stating they would prosecute “the cold blood perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law.”

“The antisemitic attacks around the world are a direct result of blood libels against the Jewish state and people, and this must be stopped,” he said.