A heavily pregnant internally displaced woman has been found dead along a railway line in Mokwa, headquarters of Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, after reportedly leaving the informal settlement where she lived to search for food.
The woman, whose identity was not immediately disclosed, was reportedly found dead on Sunday morning after she left the camp to gather cassia tora, locally known as “Tafasa”, which displaced persons in the area reportedly consume as food.
A resident of the community, Mohammed Umaru, who confirmed the incident, said the woman left the settlement at about 8am but failed to return.
According to him, other displaced persons became concerned after her prolonged absence and organised a search for her.
“She left the camp to get ‘Tafasa’ which they often eat. She did not return and people went in search for her and found her dead,” Umaru was quoted as saying.
The resident alleged that the woman had been attacked and stabbed, adding that her abdomen had been cut open and that her unborn child was missing. However, these details had not been independently confirmed by the police or another official authority at the time the reports were published.
Umaru said the deceased was among people displaced from communities in neighbouring Kwara State following attacks by suspected terrorists. He said the displaced persons had been living in an uncompleted building located behind Dufya Primary School in Mokwa.
The incident has renewed concerns about the conditions and security challenges faced by displaced persons living in makeshift settlements, particularly those who lack reliable access to food and other basic necessities.
The circumstances surrounding the woman’s death remained unclear as of the time of reporting. The Niger State Police Command had yet to publicly confirm the killing or disclose whether any arrests had been made.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, reportedly did not respond to messages seeking confirmation of the incident.
The reported death comes against the backdrop of continued displacement and humanitarian challenges affecting communities in Niger State and surrounding areas. Mokwa itself has experienced significant humanitarian emergencies in recent years, including a devastating flood in 2025 that killed at least 21 people and displaced residents.
The latest incident also highlights the vulnerability of displaced people who are forced to leave relatively sheltered locations in search of food and other basic necessities.
Until authorities complete their investigation, the identity of those responsible and the precise circumstances leading to the woman’s death remain unconfirmed.
Residents and displaced persons are expected to look to security agencies and humanitarian authorities for clarification, protection and assistance, particularly for people living in informal settlements around Mokwa.
