In the wake of the devastating Mokwa flood that claimed about 150 lives and displaced countless families, the Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF) and Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) have called on the Niger State government to take immediate responsibility for the crisis and provide immediate and adequate relief to affected residents.
The flood, which occurred on Thursday, May 29, following a torrential downpour, reportedly claimed not less than 159 lives, according to official sources. However, local accounts suggest that the number of casualties may be significantly higher, raising concerns about the accuracy of the state’s reporting.
In a joint statement released to journalists, the organisations described the state government’s handling of the disaster as grossly inadequate and criticized the tendency to blame natural forces rather than its own failure to act on early warnings.
“Passing the buck is very worrisome,” the statement read. “In an ideal situation what we should be hearing is the reprimand of people in authority who failed to act when the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) warned that Niger State is a high-risk area in its 2025 rain pattern prediction.”
The Executive Director of CFSF, Comrade Sani Baba, lamented the extent of damage and loss of life, stating that the disaster was preventable.
“The magnitude of disaster in Mokwa is very disturbing and could have been prevented because NIMET had warned, giving the state government enough time to plan,” Baba said. “We do not also trust the casualty number the state government is peddling because local sources say it is far higher.”
He further expressed disappointment that despite similar occurrences in the past such as the Alau Dam collapse governments have continued to downplay climate change risks.
“It is evident that most states still treat the issue of climate change and preparedness to address it as child’s play,” he added.
The Executive Director of RDI, Mr. Philip Jakpor, raised critical questions about the source of the floodwater, alluding to reports that a dam collapse might have contributed to the disaster. “The Niger State Government cannot be absolved from the fallout of the flood in Mokwa because we suspect there is more to the volume of water that we saw in amateur videos circulating online,” he stated. “It is the responsibility of the state government to either substantiate or debunk the reports.”
Jakpor also condemned what he described as the growing culture of “disaster capitalism” in Nigeria, where emergency response is often reduced to the distribution of relief items.
“It is becoming evident that disaster capitalists are benefiting from the flood disasters that occur every year due to their reactive approach which seems to be centered only around sharing palliatives,” he said.
Reports from the ground indicate that the temporary shelters provided for displaced persons in Mokwa are grossly inadequate, lacking clean water, toilets, and medical facilities.
The organisations decried the living conditions, saying the structures are unfit for human habitation and only worsen the trauma of those affected.
While the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and it state counterpart have reportedly began distributing relief materials in the area, both CFSF and RDI insist that a long-term solution must include a more proactive disaster response system. This long term solution includes investment in modern equipment like helicopters and speed boats to reach remote communities quickly and efficiently during emergencies.
The civic groups concluded by urging other states across the country to learn from the Mokwa tragedy. “This incident should be a wake-up call to other states. We must not wait for disaster to happen before measures are put in place to protect lives and property,” they said.