Tinubu approves ₦2b for flood victims in Niger, 20 trucks of rice to follow

In a swift response to the devastating flood disaster in Mokwa, Niger State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate disbursement of ₦2 billion for the reconstruction of homes destroyed in the catastrophe.

The announcement was made by Vice President Kashim Shettima during his visit to the affected community, where he assessed the extent of the damage and offered federal government support to displaced residents.

Describing the scene as heartbreaking, Shettima expressed deep concern over the widespread destruction. He noted that the disaster had left many families homeless, while also causing significant damage to infrastructure, farmlands, and local livelihoods.

To further support recovery efforts, the federal government has also approved the delivery of 20 trucks of rice to the victims, aimed at providing immediate relief and easing the burden on the affected communities.

“President Tinubu is deeply concerned about the plight of the people of Mokwa. He has directed that every possible measure be taken to bring relief and rebuild affected communities swiftly,” Shettima said.

Assuring that President Tinubu’s heart is with the people, Shettima said that all the issues affecting the people would be addressed.

According to him, the President has also directed that the affected bridges in the area be repaired immediately.

On the issue of drainage, Shettima said that the President had also directed the immediate rehabilitation of drainages in Mokwa town.

Government officials carrying out a search-and-rescue operation in Mokwa following the flood that destroyed homes and left over 200 residents dead on May 28, 2025.

Over 200 bodies have been recovered after a flood wreaked havoc in communities in Mokwa on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs in Niger State, Ahmad Suleiman, said efforts were still on to recover more.

“We have more than 200 casualties or corpses but we are still looking for more. We are still recovering corpses up till now.

“Nobody can tell you the number of casualties in Niger State right now because up till now, we are still looking for some corpses,” Suleiman said while speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday.

He said the state government had activated an emergency response for the distribution of relief materials to the displaced victims of the floods, who are taking shelter in makeshift camps.

“The Niger State Government has put things in place and there are lots of contributions from various agencies and ministries. The damage on the ground now, you cannot get it on social media except a visit to the scenes. There is lots of damage at the moment.

“The state government has sent trailers of rice to the victims. The wife of the governor also visited the local government yesterday and donated N50m,” he added.

However, the victims displaced by the flood expressed dissatisfaction over the handling of relief efforts.

Many displaced residents have continued to decry the poor condition of the temporary shelter provided for them and the lack of access to supplies, including food items.

One of the victims, Mama Isah, said, “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?”