Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s Borno State, is grappling with its most severe flooding in three decades, with 70% of the city submerged following the collapse of the Alau Dam.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reports that the floods have affected major landmarks, including the Shehu of Borno’s palace, the state secretariat, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
NEMA spokesman Manzo Ezekiel told reporters, “Some locations that I personally know and consider to be high ground, from the report we received, are already underwater, including Lagos Street, the market area, the palace of the Shehu of Borno, at least the front of the palace, we can see water there.”
The flooding has displaced thousands of residents, with the state government opening three Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps to accommodate those affected.
“About 70 per cent of the town is already underwater. So, many people are trapped as the flood intensified when people were sleeping; some people woke up to discover that they were inside water,” Mr Ezekiel added.
The Borno State Emergency Management Agency described the flooding as terrible.
The Director-General of the agency, Barkindo Muhammad, said, “We went for a rescue and proceeded to distribute sandbags in Gozari. As I am talking to you now (on the telephone) I am trapped; we came to rescue some people and we are now trapped.”
Already, several institutions and government agencies have shut down, with the University of Maiduguri closed until further notice
“Homes are submerged, schools shut down & businesses crippled as people evacuate with their belongings,” UNCHR Nigeria stated on its X handle.
Floods have killed at least 229 people so far this year, displaced around 386,239 more and affected 94,491 houses in parts of the country but mainly in the northern region. At least 125,805 hectares of farmland have also been affected, NEMA figures showed.
In the chaos, the Nigerian Correctional Service reported recapturing three inmates following a jailbreak. The Sanda Kyarimi Park zoo also suffered significant losses, with 80% of its animals perishing in the flood.
President Bola Tinubu, currently abroad, has called for the immediate evacuation of residents in flood-affected communities., expressing deep concerns over the flooding in Maiduguri and tasked relevant government agencies to expedite rescue efforts.
“While relevant authorities are still assessing the damage wrought by the flood, the President calls for the immediate evacuation of people from affected areas,” a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“President Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the State, especially to the families that have lost their means of livelihood due to the disaster triggered by the overflow of the Alau Dam.
“President Tinubu assures Governor Babagana Zulum that the Federal Government is ready to collaborate to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected people.
“He orders the National Emergency Management Agency to assist the flood victims.”
NEMA and state emergency management agencies are working together to provide support and conduct search and rescue operations.
“Our search and rescue team are already working with the state officials of the state emergency management agency, providing support to people affected by the flood,” Mr Ezekiel stated.
The situation remains critical as relief efforts continue in the face of this unprecedented disaster.
