As floods devastate Nigerian communities, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has charged state and local governments to build camping sites in high-rise areas in readiness for people who are forced to evacuate.
In a statement yesterday, the group’s founder/executive director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, argued that warning citizens that a flood was approaching was not enough but good governance demands that the government prepares camping sites for the people.
“Although Allah has been kind to Nigeria regarding natural disasters such that the country does not experience tragedies the way other countries are exposed to them, floods in the rainy season are becoming a serious concern as they cause high death tolls and severe damages.
“151 people were killed in the flood which devastated the city of Mokwa, Niger State in May 2025. Apart from the high death toll, 265 houses were destroyed while 3,018 people were rendered homeless in the global warmth induced disaster.
“Earlier, between September and October 2022, more than 600 people died after torrential rains caused the most devastating incident of seasonal floods around the country in decades. More than 1.3 million people were displaced.
“It is on record that both the federal and state governments are known to frequently issue warnings to citizens asking them to evacuate for fear of flood.
“The concern of the Muslim Rights Concern in this conversation is that although people are told to go to high rise areas as flood is being expected, they have never been told where to go exactly. Fear and anxiety rent the air as citizens wonder where to evacuate to.
“We assert clearly, categorically and emphatically that it is not enough to send warnings to residents. They should be directed to safer places prepared by the government. That is good governance,” MURIC said.
