President Bola Tinubu has dispatched a high-level Federal Government delegation to Niger State to commiserate with the government and people of the state following the devastating floods that ravaged Mokwa town and its environs.
The tragic incident resulted in the loss of lives, displacement of residents, and extensive destruction of property.
The delegation comprises the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and his counterpart in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.
During a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Comrade Yakubu Garba, the Minister of Information and National Orientation conveyed President Tinubu’s heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the state over the flood disaster.
The Minister noted that President Tinubu was deeply saddened by the incident and stands in solidarity with all those affected.
“We are here on the directive of Mr. President, Bola Ahmed 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 empathize 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 resource of the Federal Government be deployed to Mokwa. That’s why you are seeing me in the company of my brother, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs,” he said.
He added that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has already carried out a comprehensive assessment of the situation and has mobilised its resources to deliver immediate relief and support to the affected communities.
“We are aware that NEMA has been collaborating with the state government to ensure seamless operations. They have ensured that the bodies of those who lost their lives are respectfully recovered, those who sustained various degrees of injuries are attended to, and every necessary measure is being put in place to provide succour to our brothers and sisters in Mokwa,” he stated.
Idris noted that the President expressed deep concern over the scale of the disaster, particularly as it comes barely a year after a similar incident caused widespread devastation in several communities across Niger State.
He said the Federal Government was working diligently to ensure that, in the event of similar occurrences in the future, adequate preparedness and mitigation measures were in place.
The Minister also revealed that the President has directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to collaborate with state governments across the country to intensify public sensitization efforts—especially in communities situated around flood plains—to ensure residents heed early warning signs and take appropriate preventive measures.
“This is also a call to our people to take this as a warning against future occurrences, especially those living in areas prone to this kind of disaster,” he said.
Idris commended the Niger State government and its agencies for their swift response to the disaster.
In his remarks, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Prof. Yilwatda, said the government was exploring additional avenues of support for displaced persons.
He stated that the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons has been directed to take over from NEMA in providing continued care and support to those displaced by the disaster.
In his response, the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Comrade Garba, expressed profound gratitude to the federal government for its prompt and compassionate response to the floods.
He thanked President Tinubu for the rapid intervention during the disaster, describing it as a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the welfare of citizens in times of crisis.
Garba said the people of Niger State were devastated by the scale of destruction caused by the Mokwa floods.
He reported that, so far, 151 bodies have been recovered and laid to rest. A total of 503 households and 264 houses have been affected across three communities, while 3,018 individuals have been displaced. Additionally, several township roads and three major bridges in Mokwa and Raba have been destroyed by the floods, severely impacting access and mobility in the affected areas.
