The catastrophic floods that swept through Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State have claimed more than 200 lives, with recovery efforts still underway and survivors crying out for more effective relief.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, the Niger State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Ahmad Suleiman, confirmed that over 200 bodies had been retrieved so far. “We have more than 200 casualties or corpses, but we are still looking for more,” he said. “Nobody can tell you the exact number of casualties in Niger State right now because even as we speak, we are still recovering bodies.”
The administration of Governor Umar Bago has activated emergency response teams and initiated the distribution of relief materials for displaced residents now sheltering in temporary camps. Suleiman said efforts are ongoing across various government ministries and agencies. “The state government has put structures in place, and there’s significant support from different quarters. But the level of destruction cannot be grasped through social media. You need to visit the affected areas to understand the magnitude of damage,” he said.
The state’s relief efforts have included deliveries of food supplies and financial support, with the governor’s wife reportedly donating ₦50 million to assist the victims.
However, survivors have voiced growing discontent over insufficient food and poor conditions in the camps. “We are 17 in my household, and they gave us only one loaf of bread and some tea,” said Mama Isah, a displaced resident. “How is that supposed to feed us, even for breakfast?”
Affected individuals are urging the authorities to allow direct intervention from private individuals and non-governmental organisations, citing the pressing need for greater transparency and efficiency in the distribution of aid.
