President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate release of ₦2 billion for the reconstruction of homes destroyed by the devastating May 28 flood in Mokwa, Niger State. The President also authorized the delivery of 20 trucks of food items to displaced residents.
Vice President Kashim Shettima made the announcement during a visit to Mokwa on Tuesday, where he met with flood victims and inspected the damage. He described the President’s response as swift and empathetic, assuring residents that federal support would continue until normalcy is restored.
“The President has already directed the Minister of State for Agriculture to relocate to Minna for the next one week to oversee the delivery of 20 trucks of assorted food commodities to this distressed community,” Shettima said.
He added that President Tinubu had also ordered the immediate reconstruction of four critical bridges destroyed by the flood, as well as the rehabilitation of drainage systems in Mokwa town.
“Most importantly, we must rebuild lives and restore hope,” Shettima said. “The Federal Government will work in partnership with the Niger State Government to spend ₦2 billion on rebuilding homes. Human lives cannot be replaced, but we must act swiftly to support those affected.”
The Vice President emphasized that the destroyed bridges are vital transport links connecting southern and northern Nigeria, and their reconstruction is a national priority.
“The President has directed the Federal Minister of Works to begin immediate reconstruction. This is not just a local issue—these bridges are lifelines.”
Over 200 confirmed dead, rescue efforts ongoing
As of Tuesday, more than 200 bodies had been recovered following the catastrophic flooding in Mokwa. Niger State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Ahmad Suleiman, said rescue teams are still searching for more victims.
“We have recovered over 200 corpses, but we are still looking for more. No one can say the exact number of casualties yet,” Suleiman said during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
He noted that the state government has activated an emergency response, providing relief materials and setting up temporary shelters for displaced residents. However, survivors have expressed frustration over inadequate aid and poor living conditions in the camps.
One victim, Mama Isah, shared her experience: “We are 17 people in my household, but we were only given one loaf of bread and some tea. How can that be enough for even our breakfast?”
The state government, along with various ministries and agencies, is working to scale up relief efforts. The governor’s wife also visited Mokwa and donated ₦50 million to support the victims.
“The damage is far greater than what is seen on social media,” Suleiman added. “A visit to the scene is the only way to grasp the full scale of this disaster.”
