International News
FLOOD: Mokwa Victims Decry Food Shortage, Poor Camp Conditions
Days after floods severe several communities in the Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, victims at makeshift camps continue to voice deep dissatisfaction over the handling of relief efforts.
A visit to the affected communities by our correspondent revealed the frustration and disappointment of flood victims, especially over the lack of adequate food supplies and poor camp conditions.
Many displaced residents lamented that although they were photographed with food items by authorities and relief personnel, they were not given the supplies.
One of the victims, Mama Isah, expressed her pain, saying: “We are 17 people in my household, but we were only given one loaf of bread and some tea. How can that be enough for even our breakfast?”
She appealed to the government to allow well-meaning individuals and organisations to support them directly without interference or diversion.
Another victim, Rukaiya Usman, echoed similar concerns, criticising the quantity of food being distributed.
“We are barely surviving. The food they bring is not enough for any family. We feel forgotten,” she said.
Beyond food shortages, the condition of the camps has also come under scrutiny. A community volunteer, Hussaini Muhammed, described the camps as unsuitable for human habitation.
“There are no toilet facilities, and we don’t have access to clean drinking water. People are getting sick,” he said.
Ibrahim Abubakar, another volunteer, noted the complete absence of major emergency response agencies at Kpege Primary School, which serves as one of the major shelters.
“NEMA, NSEMA, and other authorities are nowhere to be found. Everything here is being done by members of the community,” he alleged.
On the healthcare front, Victoria Abubakar, a health volunteer, confirmed that all medical assistance and supplies being given to flood victims are sourced through personal and community efforts.
“We are giving out drugs and attending to sick victims out of goodwill. None of this is coming from the government,” she said.
In response to the mounting complaints, former Deputy Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Ketso, urged both the federal and state governments to intensify efforts and collaborate more effectively in alleviating the sufferings of the flood victims.
Reacting to the allegations, the Acting Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Hussaini Ibrahim, acknowledged the gaps in the relief operations.
“The challenges we are facing are partly due to the absence of a conventional camp,” he explained.
He added that the agency is currently undertaking a comprehensive data-capturing exercise to accurately identify real victims and ensure relief materials reach the intended recipients.
“We are working to ensure that the right people get what they deserve. This process takes time, but we are committed to transparency and fairness,” he said.
As the victims wait for adequate relief and support, the call for immediate and coordinated government intervention continues to grow louder.
Jeremy Doku insisted Manchester “will keep on fighting” in the Premier League title race despite their “painful” draw with Everton on Monday.
City drew 3-3 with the Toffees at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Doku scoring a 97th-minute equaliser, having also scored the opening goal.
Doku’s equaliser (96:49) is City’s third-latest goal on record (since 2006-07) in a Premier League game after John Stones’ strike against Arsenal in September 2024 (97:14) and Gabriel Jesus’ goal against Everton in February 2019 (96:52).
Doku has had a hand in six goals across his last five games for City in all competitions (four goals, two assists), as many as in his previous 22 games combined (one goal, five assists).
The Belgian also created the most chances in the match against Everton (four), completed the most dribbles (5/7) and won the most duels (14/19).
City avoided defeat in a Premier League game despite trailing by 2+ goals as late as the 82nd minute for the first time since March 2012 against Sunderland (3-3).
They went on to win the league title in 2011-12, and Doku believes City can still beat Arsenal to the trophy this season.
“First half, we played well and created a lot of chances. We know if we don’t score those chances, it is going to get difficult at the end,” said Doku.
“Obviously, they are at their own stadium, they create chances, and they are dangerous, and they scored two goals, but I think we gave them the game.
“Good that we came back because one point is not bad in games like this.
“We will see. It feels painful now. There is still a lot of games to go. We lost two points, but we know that one point can be important at the end.
“We will keep on fighting. We owe it to ourselves and to our fans.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigerians interested in repatriation from South Africa will be responsible for the cost of their return trip to Nigeria.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated this during a press briefing on Monday in Abuja.
The briefing came shortly after a closed-door meeting between the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Ahmed, and the South African Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele.
Mr Ebienfa said the process will be self-funded and not state-funded, as it is a voluntary decision that the Nigerian government will only facilitate and coordinate.
In the recent past, such reparations have been sponsored by Nigerian airline owners, particularly Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace.
The Nigerian government, on Sunday, indicated its readiness to repatriate its citizens from South Africa due to xenophobic violence.
The effort primarily targets Nigerians who feel threatened by the xenophobic violence and tension in parts of South Africa, as the protests against black immigrants in the country continue. Two Nigerians were killed last month.
Since the announcement, about 130 Nigerians in South Africa have expressed a willingness to return home voluntarily.
Mr Ebienfa stated that the return of the Nigerians depends on their financial capacity, as they would be expected to fund their trip back home individually.
He said, “Those willing to leave are expected to approach the high commission and, given that their decision is voluntary, have the resources to fund their return to Nigeria.”
The government will not “provide an aircraft from Nigeria to convey them.”
He also noted that the speed of the repatriation process will be determined by the availability of funds.
“Yes, 130 as of this morning have registered, but actualisation would be required to have their flight ticket to move back to Nigeria.”
Mr Ebienfa also explained that Nigerians who have so far expressed interest are motivated either by concerns about threats to their lives or by fear of arrest by South African law enforcement agencies.
“There are two groups of Nigerians who want to come back. One group feels the country is not safe for them and wants to come. They have all their papers intact.
“Then there is also the second group that has travel document violations or resident permit violations. And instead of running away from law enforcement, they are appealing that the government facilitate their movement back to Nigeria,” he explained.
However, he noted that the process is still being worked out and that the government would step in to provide aircraft or other needed assistance if tensions rise and the situation becomes more volatile.
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