By Wole Mosadomi, Minna
The devastating flooding that claimed more than 200 lives in Mokwa town and its environ in Niger State in May this year, is a tragedy that cannot be easily forgotten.
Read Also: Mokwa flood victims lament poor food, camp conditions
It has since destabilised many families whose means of livelihood have been crushed, while many of their loved ones are still missing. Head or tail, members of that community remain in ruins and ceaseless torment by the natural disaster that swept away their fortune and threw them into inconsolable state.
One thing, however, is that the massive flood threw up an avalanche of support from the state and federal authorities, who swam the place with unprecedented humanitarian aid to steer the victims from their gloom, while giving them a sense of support and care.
They instantly received food supply, clothing and medical care that they had never seen in their lifetime within a short time. Beyond that, the Niger State Government paid out compensation of at least N1 million to each of the families affected by the furious flood.
But government was not going to tolerate any form of illegality after doling out the cash to the victims. Not many believed the government was serious about standing on its decision that once compensation was paid, the victims would be asked to seek alternative places to live rather than look up to the same government for a temporary place of settlement, as has become the norm in recent history of disaster management in Nigeria.
That may aptly explain why the state government immediately ordered all the campers at the interim IDP camps in Mokwa Town to immediately vacate the place. The state government said it did not want any new camps in Mokwa after settling the victims for obvious reasons. According to the authorities, makeshift camps meant for the temporary accommodation of the flood victims in Mokwa could be turned into a hub for immorality, which could aggravate the growing security threats to the residents of the area and the state as a whole.
To prevent the building of temporary camps for the displaced persons, Alhaji Dauda Liman, Secretary of the Mokwa Local Council and Chairman of the Relief Committee on Mokwa Flood, told journalists that support has been distributed to the first and second batches of the victims.
Liman said: “The committee officially recorded 458 households and each household has received N1,000,000.00). We also recorded 424 destroyed houses and shops. The owners have received N500,000.00 each. Similarly, 138 deaths were officially documented and each deceased person’s next of kin has been given N1,000,000.00,” Liman informed.
He added that victims not yet captured in the first two batches would be included in the third.
Despite the assistance, some displaced residents complained of being left out. Many of those who received financial aid said it was insufficient to cover rising housing costs, leaving them with no place to go.
Salihu Garba, Director of Relief and Rehabilitation at the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, acknowledged the challenges of reaching every victim.
According to him: “Some of the victims were not present during the capturing process. Others were too traumatised or had relocated to nearby communities after their homes were washed away.
“The agency has opened a complaints desk to register and resolve outstanding cases. Recommendations will be made to the government accordingly,” Garba explained.
However, many of the displaced persons, who are yet to be captured by the state government, have complained of being left out of the compensation scheme and not having anywhere to put their heads.
Many who had even received cash and other materials from the government and humanitarian agencies, insist that whatever they have got is insufficient to cater for their accommodation and cost of living. They pleaded with the state and Federal Government to do more for them and their families.
Red Cross Intervention:
In response to the emergency, the Nigerian Red Cross Society swiftly constructed temporary shelters equipped with boreholes, toilets, and bathrooms to support the displaced.
Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, National President of the Red Cross, formally handed over the facilities to flood victims in Mokwa LGA weeks ago.
The Red Cross chief said: “We rehabilitated two boreholes in Mokwa and two in Rabba community to provide potable water. We also distributed 500 dignity kits for women and girls of childbearing age and 500 non-food item packages to families. Items include plastic buckets, jerry cans, water purification tablets (Aqua tabs), and mobile hand washing taps to promote hygiene.
“The initiative is meant to provide safe spaces for protection, gender inclusion and restore confidence among displaced persons”.
Community leaders like Alhaji Tanko Bala, the Sarkin Hausawa of Mokwa, expressed gratitude to the Red Cross for their support.
Closure and demolition of the camp: Few weeks after the erection of the temporary shelters for the victims by the Red Cross, the state government ordered the immediate closure and demolition of the camp, citing security concerns and reports of illicit activities within the facility.
Alhaji Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi, Chairman of Mokwa Local Government, while speaking with journalists, said the decision was made during an expanded security meeting at the Council Secretariat.
“Although the Red Cross wrote to the council requesting permission to build the shelters, approval had not been granted before starting the project,” Muregi stated.
“The camp posed an imminent danger to the town. We received complaints that many occupants were not flood victims but strangers posing a security risk.
“We issued 24-hour evacuation notices to the occupants and informed the traditional rulers, security agencies, and the Governor,” he remarked.
The Chairman said the final decision involved all relevant stakeholders, including the Ndalile of Mokwa, Alhaji Muhammed Shaba, the Sarkin Hausawa(Head of Hausa Community) of Mokwa, security heads, council members and legislators.
The demolition, according to him, was witnessed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, Godwin Ihean, Area Commander, Nigeria Police, New Bussa Area Command and other security operatives.
Alhaji Muhammed Shaba, Ndalile of Mokwa, informed thus: “Over 85 per cent of victims have been compensated. Those claiming otherwise are experiencing delays due to bank account inconsistencies”.
Community Reactions:
Many residents supported government’s decision, alleging that the camp had become a hub for immoral activities and criminal elements.
Malam Musa Sheshi, a resident, shared his concerns saying: “The camp is near my house. At first, it was meant for flood victims, but it was later turned into a hiding place for some people to perpetrate all sorts of immoral acts. In the daytime, the camp will be empty and at night, all sorts of unknown people show up. We feared it could become a hideout for bandits”.
Yusuf Isah, another resident, also reacted, saying: “Some men used the camp to bring in women at night, and then leave by morning. In the afternoon, no one is around”.
Red Cross Response:
A Red Cross official, who spoke anonymously, denied the camp was unauthorised.
“Red Cross Society is an international organisation. We don’t act against government directives. We had official approval before starting the project and local government representatives were present during the handing over to the victims.
“Clearly, something must have prompted this reversal. However, we will not contest the state government’s decision, especially since the act was hinged on security and other immoral acts,” the official said.
It would be recalled that the state Governor, Muhammed Umaru Bago, had earlier given a deadline of June 30, 2025, for the closure of all IDP camps in Mokwa, having completed compensation to the victims.
The government had warned that such camps could become breeding grounds for hoodlums and centres of immorality if not properly regulated.
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