Hundreds of flood-displaced residents in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State have decried the appalling conditions in the temporary camps set up for their shelter, describing them as unfit for human habitation. The flood, which devastated entire communities, has left victims grappling with hunger, disease risks, and neglect.
In emotional interviews, many victims who lost homes, farmland, and livelihoods to the raging floods painted a grim picture of life inside the camps. They lamented the absence of basic facilities such as clean water, toilets, and medical care, raising fears of a looming health crisis.
“Our lives have been turned upside down. The flood took everything we had—our homes, our food, even our dignity,” a tearful victim told Channels TV. “They only give us bread and Cowbell milk. That’s all. One bread and one Cowbell!”
Another displaced resident pleaded for urgent assistance: “We are in deep pain. Our people are suffering terribly. We are crammed together—Nupe and Hausa people alike. This is not about ethnicity. It’s about survival. We need the government to come and see what we are going through.”
Volunteers and some of the displaced persons criticized local authorities for their lack of preparedness and poor execution. One volunteer described the camps as an afterthought, hastily created with no consideration for the wellbeing of those who would be forced to live there.
“The local government chairman created a temporary camp, but it’s not habitable. There’s no toilet, no clean water. That’s why people refused to stay there. They only come to share bread and soft drinks. Nothing more,” a victim remarked bitterly.
Health officials on site expressed frustration over the lack of critical supplies and life-saving medications. “We are overwhelmed. The few drugs we have are running out. Most of the essential medicines are not even available. If the government does not intervene, the situation could spiral into a public health disaster,” a health worker warned.
Reacting to the outcry, the acting Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Hussaini Ibrahim, insisted that the government is working to address the pressing needs of the victims.
“Earlier today, relief materials from NEMA and other agencies were distributed to the victims. The state government is also packaging its own contributions—rice has already been delivered. We have Indomie, beverages, mattresses, sanitary items, red oil, and groundnut oil. We’re also working with assessment reports to determine the number of victims and allocate rations accordingly,” Ibrahim explained.
He noted that a local primary school was designated as a temporary shelter, but many victims abandoned it due to the inadequate facilities. “The first day, some people came, but by the next day, most had left. They felt the conditions were unlivable.”
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the scale of the tragedy, reporting that 159 people have died and 3,018 have been affected across 503 households. Eleven individuals were injured, and three major bridges were destroyed in the disaster.
NEMA stated that it is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating relief efforts with relevant federal and state agencies.
As the rains persist and thousands remain homeless, the victims’ voices grow louder, urging authorities to stop the lip service and deliver tangible support. The humanitarian crisis in Mokwa is a stark reminder that disaster relief must be swift, dignified, and inclusive—or risk deepening the suffering of Nigeria’s most vulnerable.
PIONEER NEWS 