By Cross Udo, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has approved an emergency intervention package of ₦2bn and 20 truckloads of food items for victims of the deadly flood that devastated Mokwa in Niger State, claiming over 200 lives and displacing over 1,000 persons.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced yesterday an on-the-ground visit to the flood-ravaged communities.
He described the scale of destruction as heart-breaking and pledged the federal government’s unwavering commitment to restoring hope and rebuilding lives.
“The President has authorised the immediate release of ₦2bn in partnership with the Niger State Government to reconstruct homes destroyed by the flood. In addition, 20 trucks of assorted food items will be delivered without delay,” Shettima said.
He disclosed that President Tinubu also directed the Minister of State for Agriculture to temporarily relocate to Minna to oversee the delivery and distribution of the food items. Furthermore, orders have been issued for the urgent repair of destroyed bridges and the rehabilitation of drainage systems in Mokwa town.
“Our concern is not just about the structures lost but about the people’s hope, safety, and dignity,” Shettima stressed. “President Tinubu is deeply pained by this tragedy and is determined to ensure that no affected Nigerian is left behind.”
*VP Shettima assures of swift rebuilding, relief
The Vice President added that the Minister of Works has been tasked with immediately commencing the reconstruction of the four bridges washed away by the flood. These vital roads, he noted, are key arteries linking the southern and northern regions of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs in Niger State, Ahmad Suleiman, gave a grim update on recovery efforts, revealing that over 200 bodies have been retrieved, with search operations still ongoing.
“We are still recovering corpses as we speak,” Suleiman told Channels TV. “The extent of the damage is far worse than what anyone can see on social media. It’s a national tragedy.”
The state government, in collaboration with various agencies, has begun distributing relief materials. The Governor’s wife also visited the affected areas, donating ₦50 million to support displaced families.
However, victims have criticised the relief efforts, citing poor living conditions and inadequate food supply in the makeshift camps. A displaced resident, Mama Isah, lamented, “Seventeen people in my household were given just one loaf of bread and some tea. That can’t even feed us for a meal.”
As the federal and state governments mobilise resources to tackle the disaster’s aftermath, pressure mounts to ensure that aid is distributed transparently and efficiently and that the victims are not abandoned in their time of dire need.
*Over 1,000 people directly affected by flood disaster, says Niger govt
Meanwhile, the Niger State Government has said a total of 1,354 people were directly affected by the flood disaster in Mokwa, Niger State.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Murtala Bagana, disclosed this during the visit of Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday.
He stated that 4,534 individuals were displaced from their homes, with 458 households affected.
A total of 265 buildings were destroyed or severely damaged, two major roads were affected, and five key bridges collapsed, including the vital Goodwill Bridge along Mokwa-Jaba Road, he said.
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Traditional Council, Yahaya Abubakar, commended the Vice President for visiting the people in person to console them.
He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for directing the immediate release of interventions to the affected communities.
Over 200 bodies have been recovered after a flood wreaked havoc in communities in Mokwa on May 28, 2025.
While the state government stated that efforts were ongoing to provide relief materials for the displaced residents, many of the victims have continued to complain about the poor condition of the temporary shelter and inadequate food.
