The Niger State Government has ordered the closure of an Internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in Mokwa Town, citing security threats and allegations that the facility was being used for illicit activities endangering the host community.
According to Nigerian Tribune, the temporary camp was originally constructed by the Nigerian Red Cross Society as an emergency shelter for residents affected by the recent flash flood disaster in Mokwa.
Chairman of Mokwa Local Government Council, Alhaji Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi, confirmed the closure, stating that the decision was reached during an expanded security meeting held at the council secretariat.
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He explained that although the Red Cross had written to the council seeking approval to establish the temporary shelter, the local authority never granted such permission before the organisation went ahead with the construction.
“The camp posed an imminent danger to the town and was a danger in disguise. The government has taken proactive measures to address the situation,” Muregi said.
According to him, several complaints were lodged by residents alleging that the occupants of the camp were not genuine victims of the May 29, 2025 flood disaster, which claimed several lives and destroyed property worth billions of naira.
Muregi added that letters had been sent to other organisations operating within the premises, instructing them to vacate within 24 hours. He also disclosed that security agencies and the Niger State governor had been notified of the council’s action.
“The decision to close the camp was taken to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people of Mokwa,” he stressed.
He noted that the security meeting was attended by traditional rulers including the Ndalile of Mokwa, Alhaji Muhammed Shaba, the Etsuyamkpa of Ndayako, and the Sarkin Hausawa of Mokwa, Malam Tanko Bala. Heads of security agencies, legislators, and council members were also in attendance.
The council chairman further disclosed that the demolition exercise was supervised by the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force, New Bussa Area Command, ACP Godwin Ihean, alongside heads of other security agencies.
In his remarks, the Ndalile of Mokwa, Alhaji Muhammed Shaba, stated that over 85 percent of the victims of the flood disaster had already received compensation from the state government. He explained that those who claimed otherwise were experiencing delays due to inconsistencies in their bank account details.
A local resident, Malam Musa Sheshi, welcomed the closure of the camp, describing it as a relief to the community.
“The camp is very close to our house, and though the aim of the Red Cross was to help flood victims, that has not been the case,” Sheshi said.
He alleged that most of the people occupying the camp were not flood victims. “In the afternoon, the camp looks empty, but at night you will see many strange faces of different calibres. We feared it could serve as a hideout for bandits,” he added.
