President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate release of two billion naira for the reconstruction of homes destroyed in the recent catastrophic flooding that hit Mokwa in Niger State.
The announcement was made by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited the devastated community this week to assess the scale of destruction and to console affected families.
“President Tinubu’s heart is with the people of Mokwa,” Shettima said. “He has ordered swift intervention not only to rebuild but also to ensure that no citizen is left behind in this moment of grief.”
As part of the emergency response, twenty trucks of rice are being delivered to displaced residents, and the President has instructed the immediate rehabilitation of damaged bridges and drainage systems in the town.
The flood, which swept through Mokwa in the early hours of Wednesday, 28 May, has been described as one of the worst natural disasters in the region’s recent history. Local authorities say more than 200 bodies have been recovered so far, with search operations ongoing.
“We’re still finding bodies. No one can confirm the total number of casualties at this time,” said Ahmad Suleiman, Niger State’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, speaking on Channels Television. “Entire families have been wiped out.”
With the rainy season continuing, health concerns are mounting. Children wade through stagnant water, and the overcrowded camps lack proper sanitation or medical support. Aid workers say they are struggling to meet the needs of thousands.
In response, the state government has activated emergency shelters and mobilised food and relief supplies through multiple agencies. Trailers loaded with rice, mattresses, and essential goods are being sent to the area, and fifty million naira in donations has been made by the wife of the governor during her recent visit.
But for many of those displaced, the help has been slow and inadequate.
In one of the makeshift camps set up for victims, there is growing frustration and despair.
“We are seventeen people in my household,” said Mama Isah, her voice weary. “But all we got was one loaf of bread and some tea. That doesn’t feed even two of us.”
Despite these challenges, local officials have promised a more coordinated response in the coming days, with enhanced support from federal agencies and humanitarian partners.
For the people of Mokwa, the road to recovery may be long. But with fresh federal funding and national attention now focused on their plight, many hope it will finally mark a turning point in the battle against flooding in Nigeria’s vulnerable communities.
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