IDPs camp
Niger State Government has ordered the closure of an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Mokwa due to growing security risks and reports of illicit activities.
The decision follows concerns that the camp, originally set up to house flood victims, was being misused by individuals not affected by the disaster.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the camp, constructed by the Nigerian Red Cross Society as a temporary refuge for those displaced by recent flooding in Mokwa, was demolished on Thursday under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner of Police Godwin Ihean, Area Commander of New Bussa Area Command.
Chairman of Mokwa Local Government Area, Alhaji Jibrin Muregi, explained that the shutdown was decided during a security meeting attended by key stakeholders, including the Village Head of Mokwa, Alhaji Muhammed Shaba, the Etsuyamkpa of Ndayako, Sarkin Hausawa of Mokwa, Tanko Bala, security heads, council members, and legislators.
Muregi noted that the Red Cross built the camp without local government approval, describing it as a “hidden threat” to the community.
“We received complaints from residents that the camp’s occupants were not victims of the May 29 flood,” he stated.
The Village Head of Mokwa, Alhaji Muhammed Shaba, added that over 85 percent of genuine flood victims had already received compensation from the state government.
He attributed delays in payments to some victims’ inconsistent bank account details.
Local residents expressed support for the camp’s closure. Mallam Musa Sheshi, a Mokwa resident, remarked, “The camp was no longer necessary. In the afternoon, it’s empty, but at night, you see all sorts of unknown people.”
He raised concerns that the camp could serve as a hideout for bandits. Similarly, another resident, Yusuf Isah, alleged that the facility was being used for immoral activities, stating, “Some men were bringing women to the camp at night and leaving by morning.”
NAN reports that Governor Umaru Bago had previously ordered the closure of IDP camps in June after compensating approximately 85 percent of flood victims, reinforcing the state’s commitment to ensuring community safety and preventing misuse of relief facilities.
