The Niger state government has closed down an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Mokwa town, citing security concerns and allegations that the camp was being used for Illicit activities posing a security threat to the community.

The temporary camp was built by the Nigerian Red Cross Society to serve as a temporary shelter for victims of the recent Mokwa flash flood disaster.

Chairman of Mokwa Local Government Council, Alhaji Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi, said the decision to close down the Mokwa IDP camp was reached during an expanded security meeting held in the council Secretariat in Mokwa town.

He noted that although the Nigerian Red Cross Society had written to the council seeking for approval to build a temporary shelter for victims of the flood, but said that the council never gave approval before they went ahead to construct the camp.

He said the camp posed an imminent danger to the town, describing it as a “danger in disguise”, adding that the government had taken proactive steps to address the situation.

Muregi said the council had received complaints from locals that the occupants of the IDPs camp were not victims of the May 29, 2025 flash flood disaster incident that claimed many lives and destroyed property worth several billions of naira.

He said the government had sent official letters to other organisations to vacate the premises within 24 hours and had also informed traditional security agencies and the State governor of the actions taken.

Muregi said the decision to close the camp was taken to ensure the safety of the lives and livelihoods of the entire community.

He said the meeting was attended by the Ndalile of Mokwa (Village Head of Mokwa), Alhaji Muhammed Shaba, Etsuyamkpa of Ndayako, Sarkin Hausawa of Mokwa, Malam Tanko Bala, heads of security agencies, council members and legislators.

The chairman said the demolition exercise was witnessed by the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force, New Bussa Area Command, ACP Godwin Ihean and heads of other security agencies.

In his remarks, Alhaji Muhammed Shaba, the Ndalile of Mokwa, said that over 85 per cent of the victims of the recent flood disaster have been paid compensation by the state government.

He said those alleging not to have been paid was due to bank account inconsistencies.

Malam Musa Sheshi, a resident of the area, expressed relief over the closure, saying, “The camp is very close to our house, and the aim of the camp by Red Cross was to help flood victims, but that has not been the case”.

Sheshi alleged that the majority of the people allocated shelters in the camp were not flood victims, adding that when you come in the afternoon, the camp looks empty, you won’t see anyone, but in the night, you will see a lot of people of different calibres we don’t know.

He expressed fears that the camp could be used as a hideout for bandits, alleging that It was likely to be used as a hideout for bandits.

Another resident, Yusuf Isah, also alleged that some men and women were using the camp for immoral activities.

“Some men used to come and collect this place to bring women in the night and sleep and go in the morning. You won’t see anybody in the afternoon.

Recall that Governor Umaru Bago of Niger had in June directed the closure of the IDPs camp after compensating victims, with about 80 to 85 per cent of victims already paid. (Nigerian Tribune)