In reaction to the disastrous floods that have ravaged Mokwa and the neighboring communities, leaving a path of devastation in its wake, President Bola Tinubu sent a high-level team to Niger State on Saturday.
According to data supplied by the Niger State Government, the floods have destroyed over 260 homes, township roads, and important bridges in Mokwa and Raba, displacing over 3,000 people and killing at least 151 people.
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, led the group.
To convey the President’s grief and solidarity message, the team made a courtesy call to Yakubu Garba, the Deputy Governor of Niger State.
Rabiu Ibrahim, an Idris media assistant, signed the statement.
Speaking during the visit, Idris expressed the President’s profound sadness over the incident and said Tinubu had directed that federal resources be sent right away to aid in the relief effort.
“We are here on the directive of Mr. President, Bola Tinubu, to come and see the people of Niger State particularly the Governor and officials of the state government to commiserate with you; to sympathize and empathise with you on what has happened in Mokwa Local Government Area
“Mr. President is personally saddened by this and yesterday he directed that every available resources of the Federal Government should be deployed to Mokwa and that’s why you are seeing me in the company of my brother, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affair,” Idris said.
The National Emergency Management Agency has already conducted an assessment of the disaster and mobilised to deliver immediate support.
According to the statement, Idris confirmed that NEMA is working with state authorities to ensure victims are cared for, bodies recovered, and aid delivered efficiently.
In addition to the emergency response, the president has tasked the National Orientation Agency with ramping up public sensitisation campaigns, especially in flood-prone communities, to enhance disaster preparedness and response in future incidents.
“This is also a call to our people to take this as a warning against future occurrences, especially all those living around the areas where this kind of disaster is prone to happen,” he stated.
The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons will now take over from NEMA to continue helping displaced people, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation noted in his speech.
Deputy Governor Garba emphasized the gravity of the catastrophe and conveyed gratitude for the federal government’s prompt action.
He said the floods, which affected 503 families in three towns and blocked important access points, were among the most catastrophic in recent memory.
According to the statement, Garba went on to say that the extent of the devastation caused by the Mokwa floods has devastated the people of Niger State.