Ten months have lapsed since the waters of the 2025 Mokwa flood receded. While early commitments toward recovery reverberated through the community, Mokwa is now grappling with substantial hurdles in reconstruction efforts. Approximately N30 billion was promised by both federal and Niger State authorities, as well as by numerous concerned citizens, aimed at restoring essential infrastructure like roads and bridges, and revitalizing the livelihoods affected in this crucial town.
However, an investigation by Weekend Trust has unveiled a mounting discontent among the victims, many of whom now question the efficient utilization of the pledged resources.
During an investigative trip to Mokwa in Niger State to evaluate the development pledged in the aftermath of the calamity, Weekend Trust observed that numerous victims continue to face homelessness and severe distress. Currently, three out of four announced bridges and drainage upgrade projects are yet to receive attention. Although efforts have been made to repair the crucial bridge linking the northern and southern regions of Mokwa, traffic congestion remains a significant issue, exacerbated by the substantial truck traffic on the route and prevalent potholes, with a lack of alternative paths further complicating matters.
Weekend Trust documented that on June 4, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the prompt release of N2 billion to support housing reconstruction for the flood survivors. Additionally, in August 2025, he approved another N16.7 billion specifically for the urgent reclamation of bridges washed away by the floods, a commitment shared by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a meeting in Abakaliki alongside the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.
Previously, the acting governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, emphasized the immense challenges faced by the community when Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Mokwa to offer his condolences and gather firsthand insight on the disaster's impact. He conveyed that the flood severely disrupted education and socioeconomic activities by isolating vital bridges and roads that students and residents depended on to access schools, markets, and farms.
"At present, individuals from Raba village cannot reach Mokwa for their economic activities without undertaking a circuitous 20km detour. We require swift intervention. The state government is unable to handle these interventions single-handedly. Moreover, students from across the river can no longer journey to Mokwa.
"Furthermore, the railway connection linking the north and south is disrupted. I anticipated the Federal Ministry of Transport would assess the situation concerning this rail line. Additionally, we want to prevent the women affected by this disaster from suffering further poverty. We seek federal assistance in empowering these women so that they can improve their circumstances. We are already grappling with insecurity and do not wish for these victims to be abandoned and evolve into security threats,” he stated.
In response to the community’s plight, Vice President Kashim Shettima reaffirmed President Tinubu’s directive, announcing urgent interventions to address drainage systems in a bid to avert future disasters.
The vice president added that in his role as chairman of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, he would expedite arrangements for a 15MVA transformer to restore power supply in Mokwa immediately.
“I assure you that all issues raised, including the collapsed bridges, will be comprehensively addressed by the federal government in conjunction with the Niger State Government and Mokwa Local Government.
"There are certain responsibilities that fall on the federal government. It is clear that the state government also has its responsibilities; local governments have their obligations to serve their communities. I assure you that whatever is necessary will be undertaken. The president has called for immediate repairs of all collapsed bridges. All drainage systems in Mokwa town will be constructed. The president has also instructed ministers, including the Minister of Environment and Senator Sabi Abdullahi, a local native, to ensure immediate intervention in Mokwa town. For the housing reconstruction, the president has sanctioned the release of N2 billion to commence restoration,” said the vice president.
Nearly a year following the flood catastrophe, concerns remain unabated regarding unresolved issues within the town.
The traditional ruler of Mokwa (Ndalile Mokwa), Alhaji Muhammad Shaba Aliyu, expressed his discontent with the federal government’s unkept promises, particularly the pledge of housing for the displaced flood victims.
“The federal government assured us of two crucial measures: first, they requested Niger State to provide land for the relocation of those affected. Niger State has offered the land, as have I through the state government, yet no action has taken place. We have not witnessed any progress. Some non- governmental organizations have visited to assess the situation and gauge how they might contribute, but they departed with nothing accomplished.
He further recounted the vice president’s promise of a 15MVA transformer, which has not been delivered.
"Our electricity supply lasts merely for two hours at a time, which is inadequate for our various appliances. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of that transformer," he added.
In June 2025, shortly after the disaster, Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, declared that the reconstruction of roads and bridges linking Raba and other communities to Mokwa was set to begin. He pledged a budget of N7 billion for these developments, asserting that contracts had already been awarded.
He also announced a donation of N1 billion to support victims until proper resettlement commences, instructing the Ministry of Lands and Survey to provide occupancy certificates to facilitate immediate construction of resettlement housing.
The Weekend Trust investigation indicates that three out of four bridges have received no attention from the government, and no housing structures have been erected. The status of the bridge destroyed in Rabba, a neighboring community to Mokwa due to severe flooding, is particularly concerning. Since the disaster, the community had to rely on a makeshift wooden bridge, which they constructed from hardwood, to maintain connectivity.
Aliyu Usman, a resident of Rabba, shared that during heavy rains in August of last year, they could not utilize the bridge and had to resort to canoes for crossing. He noted that the wooden bridge has undergone numerous repairs to sustain its usability. Usman expressed apprehension as the rainy season approaches, hoping the water levels do not reach the same heights that destroyed the concrete bridge last year. He stressed the urgency of government intervention to fix the situation.
Engineer's village head of Rabba, Umaru Tswako, conveyed appreciation for the government's assistance in financing the maintenance of the wooden bridge. However, he pointed out that attempts to communicate with both local and state governments for further aid have yielded primarily verbal responses.
"We continue to advocate for the highway and bridge construction, as the project remains unrealized. We also request the government to assist us with economic trees, and other resources that have been depleted due to the flooding impact, since we have not received any compensation. Many residents are suffering from hunger because their means of livelihood, reliant on these trees, have been lost due to the flood's consequences. The government has not appeared sympathetic towards our plight. Hence, we appeal to all levels of government to consider us," he said.
In addressing the delays in the Rabba bridge project, he reported that the Ministry of Works, the state governor, and numerous government officials have visited the site in Rabba. He suggested they could best clarify the reasons for the project's postponement. He noted the socioeconomic disruption many communities face due to the Raba bridge's destruction.
Alhaji Idris Mohammed, another resident who spoke with Weekend Trust, also underscored the necessity of reconstructing the Raba bridge, which connects multiple agricultural communities in Niger State near the River Niger; it serves as a daily passage for several communities in Kwara State to access Mokwa’s bustling market.
The Ndaleli Mokwa provided further insights regarding the condition of the bridges and the railway line in Mokwa. He stated no initiatives have been taken to enhance the two bridges or the railway as previously pledged. Consequently, there is presently no rail transportation available between the south and north, which is a crucial transit route.
He criticized the construction of the currently active culvert, asserting it lacks the necessary capacity to handle the influx of stormwater coming downstream. He noted that it was constructed too narrow in proportion to the flooding caused by the recent disaster.
"I would like to take this moment to appeal to the government to broaden the culvert currently under development. Given the high volume of water traversing that route, the existing culvert is insufficient and cannot effectively manage the water when the rains return," he said.
On July 17, 2025, Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, represented by his deputy, Yakubu Garba, while accepting humanitarian assistance from Veritas University, Abuja, announced that proper documentation of victims is in progress, including the collection of bank account information for the disbursement of funds donated by both governments and organizations.
He remarked that although the state accountant-general has yet to disclose the total amount donated, each affected family is expected to receive at least N1 million.
"The Mokwa flood constituted a national disaster. We aim to ensure transparency and accountability in the allocation of humanitarian assistance. Therefore, we dispatched teams for victim enumeration, and upon their return, we sent another group for verification. We have compiled and harmonized the collected data. NSEMA officials are already on the ground gathering bank account details for the affected individuals, including the next of kin of those who lost their lives. Once our records are confirmed, we will relay the list to the banks for cheque issuance,
As soon as we provide them with the food and financial aid, we aim to close the IDP camps. Keeping people in camps, even with relatives willing to accommodate them, discourages their ability to regain independence. The amount of food we intend to supply them will sustain them for a while, as each household is not expected to receive less than N1 million; and that is the state government's intervention, alongside what the federal government is also providing,” he stated.
Governor Bago indicated that families housing displaced victims would also receive assistance.
Through discussions with the victims, Weekend Trust uncovered that their current situation continues to decline—they feel shortchanged and abandoned. Instead of proper relocation and the construction of new homes, they received merely financial support to offset rent along with some relief items, all under the impression that the government would provide long-term solutions eventually.
One victim, Sadiya Abubakar, shared a deeply troubling account, stating she received no rental assistance from the government, unlike many others. She explained that she lived with her husband in a rented property when the disaster struck, resulting in the loss of all their possessions.
"We had just settled our house rent when the incident occurred. I had even borrowed money to cover the payment, as the landlady insisted on immediate settlement. When the flood occurred, I nearly lost my children. Fortunately, we managed to secure some help," she recounted.
Due to the housing crisis, some victims have returned to the flood-prone areas to reconstruct their homes, while others have resorted to erecting temporary shelters to sustain their lives.
A Quranic teacher, Hassan Umar, who had more than 800 students, reported that he lost six students during the disaster. He noted he established a provisional structure to resume teaching as no alternatives had been provided. Concerning compensation, he mentioned receiving N500,000 for one of his houses, yet he has seen nothing for the other structures or for the six students who died in the incident.
Information gathered from victims revealed that the state government allocated N500,000 to each individual who lost their home and tenants needing aid to locate rental housing. Moreover, families of those deceased were granted N1 million each.
Nevertheless, due to insufficient funding and the lack of comprehensive long- term planning by the government, the victims are confronted with a continuous struggle to reconstruct their lives; the compensation they received addressed solely their immediate needs.
One victim, despite receiving N500,000, expressed his inability to pay his eye treatment expenses. He relayed that he narrowly evaded death during the disaster but sustained an injury to one eye, from which he now cannot see.
In another instance, a 70-year-old Suleiman Isah, who lost his entire house and investments—including six shops, a car wash, and a block industry—confirmed he has yet to receive any compensation.
Isah relayed that the disaster and the government's failure to compensate him have exacerbated his health condition, as he is now unable to afford medical expenses to address his health issues.
Reports from Weekend Trust indicate that the state obtained around $10 billion from the World Bank’s ecological fund to address environmental challenges, specifically tackling gully erosion in various towns, including Mokwa.
Isah criticized the government for neglecting ecological matters in the town, which he believes contributed significantly to the flood disaster.
"I have not received my payments. Shopkeepers were promised N500,000 each. I've been unwell. As I speak now, I'm contemplating how to press for my compensation. My car wash was destroyed, and I have not received any compensation. Given my health issue, I need to relocate to Minna, the state capital, for treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital. My family is stranded in Mokwa as I currently have no house.
"Even cash donations from financial institutions, individuals, and organizations worth billions have never reached us. The government pledged to construct new homes for us but has yet to commence work.
"We remain uncertain of our future now. I haven’t been issued money to rent accommodation for my family. My family is scattered because I lack a home. What happened to the N1 billion the governor mentioned that was allocated to us? The total compensation spent by the Niger State Government was not more than N300 million, despite their claims of allocating N1 billion for aid. I will state this anywhere.
"Additionally, the promised 20 trucks of assorted grains, including rice, from the vice president never reached us. All of my business establishments were ruined; I am struggling with health issues and have no means of livelihood now. We truly require assistance. I think about this day and night, yet help is still not forthcoming.
"It is regrettable that government officials profit from the misfortunes of the less privileged. We feel forsaken. Even the N1.5 million promised to homeowners has not materialized for me. What options do we have?” he lamented.
When Weekend Trust visited the designated resettlement area, there was no evidence of development or any construction activity visible, but a signpost indicating future resettlement for Mokwa flood victims was present.
The special advisor to the Niger State governor on special duties, who also heads the Niger State Response Centre, Dr. Murtala Bagana, stated that the disaster directly affected 13,354 individuals, displacing 4,534 people, impacting 458 households, resulting in 161 fatalities, and leaving 186 injured.
He reported that 265 structures incurred severe damage, two main roads were washed away, and four critical bridges collapsed.
Investigative findings indicate that out of those impacted, only 313 individuals received food assistance, while 345 households received compensation in the first cash disbursement. Additionally, 228 individuals whose residences were destroyed received payments. Of the 207 victims claiming compensation, 110 have been served.
Over 100 victims are still awaiting compensation.
While Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, who chairs the Mokwa Flood Committee, could not be reached for comments, the chairman of Mokwa Local Government, Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi, confirmed that a list containing over 100 victims yet to be compensated has been compiled and submitted to the Deputy Governor’s Office.
He indicated that the federal government was to oversee the resettlement of victims.
A donation tracker disclosed that the Niger State Government has received cheques totaling N5 billion from individuals and financial organizations.
Among notable donations comprised N50 million contributed by Senator Sani Musa from the Niger East senatorial district, N20 million from Mohammed Idris Malagi, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, N20 million from Peter Obi, and N20 million from Jaiz Bank, among various other donations.
Victims are now urging the state government to provide transparent accounting for the donations made and clarify the absence of permanent housing solutions that have yet to be implemented.
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