By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Mokwa town constructed by the Red Cross Society for those affected by the Mokwa flood disaster in May this year, has been demolished over security concerns.
The camp which had served as temporary shelter for victims of Mokwa flood was said to been demolished by the Mokwa local government council following allegations that it was being used for Illicit activities thereby posing security threats to the community.
The Chairman of Mokwa Local Government, Alhaji Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi said the decision to close the camp was reached during an expanded security meeting held in the council secretariate.
He said, “the camp has posed an eminent danger to the town, it is a danger in disguise. The local government council has therefore taken proactive steps to address the situation and ensure safety of lives and livehoods of the entire community”.
According to him, ” the council had received complaints from locals that the occupants of the IDPs camp were not victims of the May 29 flood incident during which many lives were lost and property worth billions of naira destroyed ”
He explained that the local government had earlier sent official letters to concerned organisations to vacate the premises within 24 hours while security agencies and the office of the Niger State Governor have been informed of the actions taken.
He said the demolition exercise was witnessed by the Area Commander of the Niger State Police Command, New Bussa, ACP Godwin Ihean including heads of other security agencies.
Speaking on the development, Malam Musa Sheshi, a resident of the area, expressed relief over the removal of the camp , 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 claimed 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 who we don’t know”.
