IDPs camp in Niger State
Survivors of the devastating Mokwa flood in Niger State have raised concerns over being excluded from the N1 billion relief package promised by the state government, alleging irregularities in the distribution process.
The complaints were voiced during interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Mokwa on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
In June, Governor Umaru Bago announced the allocation of N1 billion to aid flood victims, stating that 458 affected households would receive N1 million each alongside 25 bags of grains, including 10 bags of rice, five bags of maize, five bags of sorghum, and five bags of millet.
Additionally, the next of kin of the 209 deceased victims were promised N1 million each, while 280 house and shop owners were to receive N500,000 for reconstruction.
However, several victims reported not receiving the promised aid. Farida Abubakar, who lost her mother—the family’s breadwinner—in the flood, said she was denied compensation due to her marital status.
“When I went to have my name recorded for those who lost loved ones, I was told I don’t have a husband, so I was not qualified to benefit,” she recounted.
“I have three younger siblings, and we’ve been surviving hand-to-mouth, sleeping at Tiffin-Maza primary school because I can’t afford to rent a house.”
Yusuf Isah, a 74-year-old victim, shared a similar grievance, explaining that his landlord received N1 million for the household and N500,000 for the property but shared only three bags of grains with him.
“The flood washed away all our belongings, but the landlord refused to share the money with me,” Isah lamented.
Another victim, Hussaina Zakari, lost her possessions while away for her father’s burial.
“I returned to find my property gone. The only support I got was grains; I never received any cash assistance,” she said, noting that she and her three children have been living in an IDP camp, relying on NGOs for food and essentials.
In contrast, Farida Isiaku, who lost her husband, six children, and co-wife’s family, confirmed receiving N12 million in compensation.
“I used part of the money to rent a house and shared the rest with my husband’s and co-wife’s families,” she said, crediting neighbors for her survival.
Sarkin Hausawa in Mokwa, Alhaji Tanko Bala, acknowledged the government’s efforts but confirmed discrepancies in the process.
“Some households that were supposed to get N1 million received N1.5 million, and house owners meant to get N500,000 got N1.5 million,” he said, highlighting errors in the distribution.
Dauda Liman, Chairman of the Mokwa Flood Relief Distribution Committee, explained that the relief was distributed in three batches, and some victims were missed because they had relocated due to trauma or were too traumatized to come forward during the initial assessment.
He urged the government to deliver the remaining 20 trucks of grains out of the promised 50 for further distribution.
Director of Relief and Rehabilitation at the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Salihu Garba, acknowledged the gaps in the process.
“We are aware that some victims were not captured, and that’s why we opened a complaint desk,” he said, adding that the disaster’s scale made it challenging to include everyone initially.
Garba noted that 30 trucks of relief materials have been delivered and that NSEMA, working with community organizations, is addressing the issues, with a report and recommendations to be submitted to the governor.
The Mokwa Flood Relief Distribution Committee, comprising NSEMA, the Ministry of Humanitarian and Disaster Management, and Mokwa local government, continues to face scrutiny as victims demand fair access to the promised aid.
NAN
