Niger state Govt. closed down IDPs camp in Mokwa over security concerns.
By Our Reporter.
Niger government has closed down an internally Displaced Persons (IDP) 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 Mokwa flood.
Alhaji Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi, Chairman of Mokwa Local Government, said the decision to close the camp was reached during an expanded security meeting held in the council secretariate in Mokwa town.
He disclosed that although Nigerian Red Cross Society had written to the council seeking for approval to build a temporary shelter for victims of the flood, but the council never gave approval before they went ahead to construct the camp.
He said the camp posed an eminent 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 flood incident that claimed many lives and destroyed property worth 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 governor of the actions taken.
He said the decision to close the camp was taken to ensure safety of lives and livehoods 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, Tanko Bala, heads of security agencies, council members and legislature.
He said the demolition exercise was witnessed by the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police, New Bussa Are Command, ACP Godwin Ihean, 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 flood disaster have been paid compensation by the state government.
He said those alleging not to have been paid was due to bank account inconsistency.
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 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 calibers 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.
Recalled that Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger has in June directed the closure of IDPs camp after compensating victims, with about 80 to 85 percent of victims already paid.
