Mokwa Flood: Niger Gov’t Cancels Sallah Durbar As Over 200 bodies recovered

Niger State governor, Umaru Bago has directed a low-key Eid-el-Kabir celebration and suspension of Hawan Bariki, Durbar and other elaborate Sallah activities across all Emirates in the State.

This is coming as the government disclosed that over 200 dead bodies had been recovered.

The directive was in view of the devastating flood disaster that resulted in loss of lives and properties in Mokwa and surrounding communities.

Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman while conveying to the directive said the decision was taken as a mark of respect for the victims of the tragic incident and to allow for a period of mourning, prayer and reflection.

Conveying the directive of the Governor to the Emirates, the SSG noted that the Mokwa flood was one of the worst in the state for decades and has left families bereaved, houses and livelihoods destroyed.

In a related development, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs in Niger State, Ahmad Suleiman, has disclosed that more than 200 corpses of victims have been recovered after devastating floods hit the Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.

“We have more than 200 casualties or corpses but we are still looking for more,” the commissioner said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief show on Tuesday. “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 the Umar Bago administration in the north-central state has activated an emergency response and directed the distribution of relief materials to the displaced victims of the floods, who are housed 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 ground now, you cannot get it on social media except a visit to the scenes. There are 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 said.

Meanwhile, victims at makeshift camps continue to voice deep dissatisfaction over the handling of relief efforts.

A visit to the affected communities by our correspondent revealed the frustration and disappointment of flood victims, especially over the lack of adequate food supplies and poor camp conditions.

Many displaced residents lamented that although they were photographed with food items by authorities and relief personnel, they were not given the supplies.

One of the victims, Mama Isah, expressed her pain, saying, “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?”

She appealed to the government to allow well-meaning individuals and organisations to support them directly without interference or diversion.

Beyond food shortages, the condition of the camps has also come under scrutiny. A community volunteer, Hussaini Muhammed, described the camps as unsuitable for human habitation.