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Help Mokwa: How To Support Flood Victims

Published

9 months ago

June 6, 2025

Help Mokwa: How To Support Flood Victims

Mokwa is hurting. Over 150 lives lost, thousands displaced. BNers, here’s how you can support those affected and make a real difference today.

Flash floods triggered by torrential rainfall have wreaked havoc in the central Nigerian town of Mokwa, in Niger State, claiming more than 150 lives and displacing over 3,000 people, according to reports. The flooding, which began on Tuesday, 28 May 2025, has been described as the worst in the area in six decades.

The deluge submerged entire neighbourhoods, swept away homes with residents inside, and destroyed roads, vehicles and vital infrastructure. Among the most severely affected areas are the Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa districts. According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, search and rescue operations are ongoing, but with over 500 people still missing, the chances of finding survivors are increasingly slim. Local officials confirmed that bodies have likely been swept downstream into the Niger River.

Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes of destruction. They told the BBC that they saw their homes and family members get washed away. The Nigerian Red Cross described the situation as one of “significant loss of life and widespread distress.”

The disaster also caused the collapse of the Mokwa Bridge on 28 May, cutting off a crucial link on the A1 highway and disrupting economic activities across the region. Two other roads and a secondary bridge were also washed away. Excavator teams have been deployed to retrieve bodies trapped under debris, with local authorities warning that disease outbreaks may soon follow if immediate sanitation measures are not taken.

Mokwa, a market town with an estimated population of over 416,000, sits along the southern banks of the Niger River. It is a key trade point connecting northern farmers and southern buyers. The town’s vulnerability to flooding has long been known, especially during Nigeria’s rainy season, which lasts from April to October.

Government Response

In response to the tragedy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the release of ₦2 billion for the immediate reconstruction of Mokwa and the resettlement of displaced residents. Additionally, 20 trucks of food supplies have been dispatched for distribution to those affected.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who led a Federal Government delegation to the area, conveyed the President’s condolences. “President Tinubu has directed me to come and represent him and asked me to tell you that his heart is with you,” he said, assuring residents that the government will do everything possible to ease their suffering.

The Vice President also announced that electricity transformers would be delivered to replace those destroyed by the floods. Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Abdullahi Sabi, an indigene of Niger State, has been directed to temporarily relocate to Mokwa to oversee the rebuilding of collapsed bridges and coordinate recovery efforts.

Furthermore, the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture have been tasked with beginning the immediate reconstruction of the town’s drainage systems to prevent future disasters.

Urgent Needs of Displaced Residents

Survivors in Mokwa are in dire need of essential items such as food, clean drinking water, shelter, and medical care. Overcrowded shelters pose a high risk for disease outbreaks, particularly cholera, with children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities facing heightened vulnerability.

Intermediate needs include blankets, clothing, hygiene products, and cooking utensils. Mental health support and protection services are also critical in this emergency.

How You Can Help

Donate: Contribute funds, food, and medical supplies to trusted local and international organisations working on the ground.

Raise Awareness: Use your social media platforms, blogs, and community networks to highlight the crisis and galvanise support.

Volunteer: If you are in the region or can travel safely, consider offering your time and skills to relief agencies.

Advocate for Long-term Solutions: Encourage governments and civil society organisations to invest in resilient infrastructure, improve drainage systems, and adopt comprehensive flood control measures.

Partner with NGOs: Work with humanitarian groups to coordinate the delivery of aid and services to those most in need.

Bellanaija.com

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JUST IN: Israel Breaks Silence On Netanyahu’s Death Claims; Truth Emerges

Published

8 hours ago

March 15, 2026

The Daily Voice

The office of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has cleared the air over his rumoured death.

It dismissed viral social media claims suggesting the Prime Minister had been assassinated following the escalating conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran.

“These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine,” the Prime Minister’s office said

DAILY POST reports that the rumours gained traction after a video shared by Netanyahu on his X account on Friday showed him addressing a press conference on the ongoing Israel-US-Iran conflict.

Some social media users, immediate after the video was posted, claimed they had spotted what appeared to be six fingers on Netanyahu’s right hand when he briefly raised it during the speech.

The speculation spread further after US conservative commentator, Candace Owens raised questions on X.

News

Tears As Atiku’s Top Aide Dies, Former Vice President Releases Heartfelt Statement

Published

10 hours ago

March 15, 2026

The Daily Voice

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has announced the death of Mr. Ifeanyi Izeze, a pioneering member of his media team.

The development was announced in a statement issued by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Sunday.

The statement said Izeze joined Atiku’s media team in 2006, moving from the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, in Ikot-Abasi, where he served as office manager.

Bringing extensive experience from both journalism and Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, he played a key role in shaping media strategies and campaign policies for Atiku, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

Trained as a geologist at the University of Port Harcourt up to postgraduate level, Izeze later transitioned into journalism, reporting extensively on the oil and gas industry for publications including Sunray, Anchor and NewAge newspapers before joining ALSCON.

Beyond his professional life, Izeze was known for his prodigious sense of humor and devout Christian faith.

He was an ordained preacher in the Christ Embassy denomination and also active in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and his elder brother, Pastor Emeka Izeze, known for his work with The Guardian Newspapers..

The Atiku Media Office expressed condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, praying for God’s comfort and eternal rest for his soul.

Atiku said: “A man with a prodigious sense of humour and a born-again Christian of the Christ Embassy denomination, Ifeanyi was an ordained preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

“May God give his family, friends, and colleagues the fortitude to bear his demise.”

I mourn the loss of one of the prominent and pioneer members of my media team, Mr Ifeanyi Izeze.

Ifeanyi joined my media team in 2006, from Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), Ikot-Abasi, as Office Manager. He brought to bear on the work of the media team, at that… pic.twitter.com/XvbrDQwTFu

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) March 15, 2026

News

UK-Bound 74-Year-Old Grandpa Arrested With Illicit Drugs At Abuja Airport

Published

11 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in food items while travelling to the United Kingdom.

The septuagenarian was apprehended at the departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082, bound for Heathrow, London, on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, a search of Emeka’s luggage revealed blocks of cocaine wrapped in foil papers and balloons and concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper.

“A 74-year-old grandpa, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, has been arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after a large consignment of cocaine was discovered in foil papers and balloons concealed in his luggage. The septuagenarian, who claimed he was travelling to London, United Kingdom, for vacation, was arrested at the departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082 to Heathrow on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

“During a search of his luggage, blocks of cocaine weighing 11 kilograms were discovered concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper, carefully wrapped in foil papers and balloons,” the statement partly read.

The agency also reported a series of arrests and seizures across other parts of the country.

In Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives arrested a woman, Maryam Olalowo, at Ikad Hotel and Suites while allegedly attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis. She was with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest.

“In Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence in the early hours of Monday, March 9, arrested Mrs. Maryam Olalowo at Ikad Hotel and Suites on Etim Inyang Street, Victoria Island, while attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud. She was found with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest. She confessed the illicit drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was later taken into custody the same day while his wife was immediately released.

“Ibrahim confirmed ownership of the illicit drugs in his statement, while further investigation revealed that he had previously been arrested, convicted, and sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment for a similar offence in 2015.”

In another Lagos Island operation, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim, after recovering 68,000 tramadol pills loaded in a truck allegedly meant for transport to Benin. A follow-up raid at Idumota Market led to the arrest of Nnamdi Cyprian, believed to be the owner of the consignment. Officers also recovered a parcel containing 1,000 tramadol tablets prepared for waybill delivery from his shop.

Another raid at the market resulted in the arrest of Nwanosike Kelvin and the recovery of 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection.

In separate operations, NDLEA officers arrested Magaji Dan Azumi, 42, with 386 kilograms of skunk in Bebeji, and Isah Wako with 282.2 kilograms of the same substance in Gwagwalada.

In Orhionmwon Local Government Area, operatives raided the Egwa Forest Reserve, arresting Chinedo Odalonu, 33, and destroying 4,218.96 kilograms of skunk on two farms, while recovering 16.5 kilograms.

At Apapa Seaport, NDLEA officers, in collaboration with customs officials, intercepted 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup hidden in two containers that had been watch-listed following intelligence reports.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, commended officers in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Edo states for the arrests and seizures over the past week, urging them to sustain efforts aimed at reducing both the supply and demand of illicit drugs in the country.