The stench of death still clings to the air in Mokwa
A week after raging floods swept through this Niger State town and surrounding communities, the true toll is beginning to emerge — not just in body count, but in broken lives, despair, and the growing anger of a people abandoned at their darkest hour.
More than 200 corpses have been pulled from muddy waters, but many believe the number is far higher. Thousands now live in makeshift shelters, clinging to what’s left of their families and hoping each sunrise won’t bring disease, hunger — or more death.
“We lost everything,” said Hadiza Usman, a widow sheltering with her three children in a primary school classroom now turned into a refugee camp.
“My husband died trying to rescue our son. Our house is gone. We sleep on the floor and eat once a day — if we’re lucky.”
Bridges Gone, Hopes Shattered
Official figures paint a grim picture. According to Murtala Bagana, Special Adviser to the Niger State Governor on Special Duties, the disaster displaced 4,534 individuals, wiped out 265 buildings, and destroyed five major bridges, including the vital Goodwill Bridge — Mokwa’s economic lifeline.
Two key roads connecting the area to the rest of the state have also been washed away, turning entire communities into isolated islands.
Vice President Kashim Shettima’s visit on Wednesday was meant to reassure survivors. Flanked by top officials and media cameras, he toured the wreckage and pledged federal relief. But to many residents, promises feel hollow.
“They come, they speak, and they leave,” said 22-year-old Haruna Bello. “But we’re still here, still hungry, still waiting.”
Displaced and Forgotten
While the state government insists that relief materials are being mobilized, most survivors say they have received little beyond prayers and platitudes. Food is scarce, clean water scarcer, and medical supplies nearly nonexistent.
“We’re sitting on a health time bomb,” warned Dr. Musa Danlami, a volunteer medic in one of the camps.
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“Children are coughing. Fever is spreading. Sanitation is collapsing. If cholera breaks out, the death toll will double.”
Traditional ruler Etsu Nupe Yahaya Abubakar praised the Vice President’s visit, thanking President Bola Tinubu for “directing immediate intervention.”
But community leaders are urging urgency — not more meetings.
“We are not asking for luxury,” said Imam Salihu, whose mosque was destroyed. “We are asking for dignity. For action. For compassion.”
Why This Keeps Happening
The tragedy in Mokwa isn’t a surprise — it’s a recurring nightmare. Year after year, floods claim lives and homes across the country, particularly in low-lying areas with poor infrastructure and little early warning. Yet, despite billions budgeted for ecological and emergency responses, the outcomes remain the same.
Experts say the problem isn’t just nature — it’s negligence
“Disaster management in Nigeria is reactive, not proactive,” said environmental analyst Aisha Sule. “We know the flood season. We know the hotspots. But we refuse to prepare. Until that changes, Mokwa will happen again. And again.”
The Bigger Question
Beyond the death toll and displaced numbers lies a deeper question: How many times must a community drown before someone is held accountable?
As Mokwa buries its dead, the survivors aren’t just demanding relief — they’re demanding answers.
Until then, the waters may have receded, but the flood of pain and betrayal continues to rise.