By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
MORE THAN 200 bodies have been recovered in the aftermath of devastating floods that swept through Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, as authorities scramble to manage an escalating humanitarian crisis.
Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs Ahmad Suleiman confirmed ongoing recovery efforts, saying bodies are still being discovered in the flood-ravaged region.
He stated during a live interview that the official casualty figure remains uncertain, with dozens still missing.
Emergency response teams have been deployed by the Umar Bago-led government, which has also commenced the distribution of relief materials to displaced residents now living in makeshift camps.
According to Suleiman, the state has received support from various ministries and agencies.
He noted that the magnitude of destruction is not fully captured online, urging visits to affected areas for a clearer assessment.
Efforts to cushion the impact included the dispatch of rice-filled trailers to flood victims, and a N50 million donation by the governor’s wife during her visit to the affected communities.
However, these measures appear insufficient in the face of growing frustrations among the displaced.
Survivors continue to speak out against what they describe as inadequate and poorly managed relief distribution.
Many claim that food aid is not reaching them despite being documented for social media and press optics.
A mother of 17, identified as Mama Isah, said her entire household received just one loaf of bread and some tea, questioning how such rations could sustain her family.
She pleaded for direct access to aid from private individuals and groups without government interference, citing concerns over diversion.
Camp conditions have also drawn sharp criticism.
Descriptions from local volunteers paint a grim picture of overcrowded, unsanitary facilities lacking basic necessities. Community worker Hussaini Muhammed condemned the shelters as unfit for human habitation, urging urgent improvements.
As the search for missing persons continues and the death toll climbs, the response from state authorities faces growing scrutiny.
Residents are now calling not just for emergency assistance, but for long-term support to rebuild lives and infrastructure destroyed by the floods.
This is sad o. More serious than I previously read
Really sad indeed.