In Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, North Central Nigeria, over three hundred communities have been inundated by severe flooding, displacing an estimated five million residents. Women and children are now seeking refuge upland, converting schools into makeshift internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, while also facing acute water shortages.
Channels Television’s tour of the affected areas, including Jifu and Muregi at the confluence of Rivers Niger and Kaduna, revealed the extent of the devastation. Despite schools being in session, children in these communities will miss several weeks to a month of classes, losing valuable learning time. The welfare of women and children is severely compromised, with healthcare facilities buried under water and clean water sources contaminated.
A growing concern is the potential outbreak of diseases due to the floods, which have mixed with personal and domestic waste. Residents like Aishatu Yaya express worry that government support packages often fail to reach those in need.
Farmlands have been destroyed, putting farmers at a loss and raising concerns over Nigeria’s food security. Audu Yaware, a farmer and community leader in Jifu village, highlighted the compounded economic challenges due to rising fuel prices, making the flood’s impact even more dire.
Abdullahi Muregi, the Council Chairman of Mokwa Local Government Area, confirmed that while no lives were lost, properties and farmlands have been submerged. He called for urgent assistance, stating that the local government is overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster.
