Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Gwada, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, to express solidarity with victims of the recent surge in banditry and devastating floods in the region.
His visit comes as thousands of people have been displaced due to ongoing insecurity and natural disasters.
The Vice President’s aircraft landed at the Ahmed Bola Tinubu International Airport in Minna at 11:45 am, where he was received by Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, and other top government officials.
Upon arrival, Shettima proceeded to the IDP camp in Gwada, which has become a temporary refuge for many of the displaced persons.
He expressed deep concern for the victims and reassured them of the Federal Government’s commitment to providing the necessary support.
Speaking to the displaced individuals and state officials, Shettima said efforts were being made to ensure that those affected by both the banditry and flood disasters receive the assistance needed to rebuild their lives.
“We are not only focused on immediate relief efforts but also on longer-term solutions to mitigate future occurrences of these disasters,” he stated.
Shettima also highlighted the Federal Government’s determination to alleviate the hardships faced by the displaced individuals and bring meaningful relief to those affected.
“The Federal Government remains committed to providing the necessary aid,” he assured the victims and Governor Bago.
Governor Bago expressed gratitude for the Vice President’s visit, describing it as a show of empathy for the affected communities.
“The visit was to sympathise with people affected by flood disasters and insecurity,” Bago said.
He thanked Shettima for his physical presence and reassured the residents of ongoing government support.
According to the Niger State government, 46,853 individuals have been displaced, with 5,863 households directly affected. The government reported that of these, 23,450 men and women, along with 17,540 children, have been impacted by flooding, banditry, and communal conflict.
The visit by Vice President Shettima underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the plight of displaced persons in Niger State and other parts of the country affected by insecurity and natural disasters.