By Olusegun Olanrewaju, Cross Udo and Nathaniel Zaccheaus
Borno State Governor Prof Babagana Zulum said that a flood that struck Maiduguri on Tuesday displaced more than one million people.
The flood, one of the most devastating in the last 30 years, has left many displaced residents struggling to cope with its aftermath.
Zulum disclosed this during a visit to the Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri, where many flood victims seek refuge.
At least 37 dead bodies have been recovered, and several other trapped victims evacuated, according to a local emergency management agency.
The Governor pledged immediate assistance and announced the distribution of cash, food items, and other essential supplies to the displaced.
“We are committed to providing all necessary relief support to the victims. Food, shelter, and healthcare will be ensured until the floodwaters recede, and the displaced can return to their homes,” Zulum said.
In response to the health risks posed by the flooding, Zulum noted that a Health Emergency Committee had been established to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, in the affected areas.
“You can see how water has completely flooded the area, including the sewage systems. This increases the risk of waterborne diseases, but we are taking necessary measures to mitigate the situation.”
Although the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, Zulum estimated that approximately one-quarter of Maiduguri is submerged.
The governor also confirmed that Borno State had received N3bn in flood intervention funds from the Federal Government to alleviate the hardships faced by the flood victims.
Zulum attributed the flood to a combination of climate change, heavy rainfall, and the overflow of the Alau Dam, which was made worse by the release of water to a dam in neighbouring Cameroon.
He also assured residents that the Alau Dam would be reconstructed and retrofitted to prevent future flooding, while illegal structures obstructing waterways would be demolished to reduce vulnerability.
*37 dead bodies recovered as agency evacuates trapped victims in Maiduguri
No fewer than 37 people have been confirmed dead, while several other trapped bodies have been evacuated.
In a statement by the Head of Borno State Emergency Management, Zubaida Umar, no fewer than 37 dead bodies were found yesterday.
Thousands of families trapped in Maiduguri flooded areas are being evacuated to safer places by the military, volunteers, and other security agencies.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, visited the most affected areas in Maiduguri and toured the Customs area where the broken prison is located.
While on the tour, dead bodies were also being evacuated.
The military, security agencies, and civilian volunteers also evacuated trapped persons.
Although some flooded areas of Maiduguri have receded, badly affected areas like Gamboru Market, Kasuwan Shanu, Custom Area, Fori, and Abbaganaram are actively flooded.
The premises of the Nigerian prisons are still being flooded, and the flood completely submerges public infrastructure, amenities, shops, and vehicles.
Women, children, and vulnerable persons are mostly those trapped and being evacuated.
The Minister’s entourage includes the Controller-Generals of Immigration and Correctional Service and the Secretary of Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board.
Several aerial videos and photos shared by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) with AFP showed rows of houses submerged in murky water.
Maiduguri, an epicentre of more than a decade-long jihadist insurgency, serves as the hub for the responses to the humanitarian crisis in the northeast region.
On its X account, the United Nations Refugee Agency in Nigeria (UNHCR) said it was the city’s worst flooding in 30 years.
*PANDEF raises concerns over coastal areas
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to direct relevant government agencies to take immediate and decisive actions to protect most coastal states of the country.
The PANDEF National Secretary, Dr Alfred Mulade, in a statement yesterday, said the coastal states are already threatened by the flooding coming from Rivers Niger and Benue and the spate of seawater rising from the Atlantic Ocean.
Mulade said the predicted disaster posed an existential threat to the lives, properties, and livelihoods of millions of Nigerians living in these vulnerable areas: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, and Edo states.
PANDEF said, “We therefore appeal to Mr. President to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of the double-ended flooding. The President should order the reinforcement and upgrade of flood defences and barriers.
“There is the need to evacuate people living in high-risk areas and rapidly deploy emergency relief materials and aid. We need comprehensive support for affected communities, including rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts and urgent construction of shelters on higher grounds to provide safe temporary housing for displaced persons.
“It is important for PANDEF to stress that every minute counts and prompt attention is crucial to prevent catastrophic consequences. We therefore urge the Federal Government to treat this existential situation with the utmost urgency and seriousness which it deserves to protect the lives of our population.”
Meanwhile, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Minority Caucus of the Red Chamber, through their leader, Senator Abba Moro, have expressed sadness over the devastating floods in parts of Borno and Bauchi states.
Akpabio, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, also condoled with the governments of both states.
The statement read, “Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones, properties, and livelihoods due to this unprecedented natural disaster. We pray for the souls of the departed and offer our support to those struggling to cope with the aftermath.
“We commend the efforts of the Federal Government, Borno and Bauchi state Governments, the emergency actors, and humanitarian organizations working tirelessly to provide relief and assistance to the affected communities.”
He said the Senate was ready to support the Borno and Bauchi State governments and the Federal Government in providing necessary assistance to alleviate the suffering of the affected people.
It will be recalled that many residents have been sacked from their residences due to the catastrophic impact of the flood, affecting various areas of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
Similarly, the Senate Minority Leader, on behalf of the Senate Minority Caucus, sympathizes with the governments and peoples of Bauchi, Borno, and other states of the federation being ravaged by floods.
The Senate Minority Leader, Moro, in a statement, expressed condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives and properties and identified with the governments of the affected states.
The senator called on the federal government and relevant government agencies to take urgent steps to evacuate those trapped and also ensure a conducive environment for those displaced and in IDP camps.
Moro urged Nigerians in danger zones to be alert and not hesitate to move to safer places to avoid catching up in the rampaging floods’ web.
*We’ll partner states to combat flood disaster – VP Shettima
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has reiterated the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to partnering with the 36 states of the federation to address the challenges of flood and other natural disasters in Nigeria.
This, he said, is why the President recently approved the sum of N3bn for each state of the federation to tackle natural disasters such as flooding and other challenges, noting that it is to give the subnational governments a sense of belonging.
Shettima stated this yesterday when he received Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who paid him a commiseration visit at the presidential villa over the ravaging flood that submerged major roads, houses, and shops in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, following the collapse of a dam in the state.
Responding to the Speaker’s commiserations, VP Shettima described the Borno flood disaster as a national calamity that befell not just the state but the entire country.
“It is a national calamity that has befallen us, and it is a simultaneous effect of the incestuous relationship among climate change, ecology, and the economy. From Bayelsa to Sokoto, ” hardly any part of this nation has not been affected by these flooding incidences,” he noted.
The VP, however, assured that with the zeal and willingness demonstrated by President Tinubu, the issue of flooding and other challenges in the states would soon be addressed.
He stated, “The President has shown his zeal, willingness, and commitment to partner with the states to address these issues. Recently, he approved the release of N3bn to each federation state to address some of these challenges so that all parts of the federation should have buy-in and belonging.”
The Vice President commended Hon. Abbas for what he described as his “stellar leadership in the National Assembly,” saying that despite having nearly 70 percent of the members newly sworn in, the Speaker has been able to keep the flag flying.
He continued, “There is a lot of stability in the House of Representatives, and we must commend you for providing that leadership. We wish you well, and, Insha Allah, you are one of the fulcrums of our democratic journey.
“A harmonious relationship among the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary is essential to sustain democracy in Nigeria. Once again, thank you most sincerely on behalf of the President, the government, and the people of Borno for your empathy and support.”
Reacting to the incident shortly after meeting with the Vice President, Abbas said, “I am here today to commiserate with His Excellency, the Vice President, over the devastating flooding incidents in Maiduguri. That is the purpose of my visit here, and I used the opportunity to discuss extensively the problems and the situation of the people, particularly those affected in Maiduguri.
“We have also designed some strategies and solutions by both the NASS and the Presidency that will be implemented in the next few days to bring succour to the flood victims in Maiduguri”.
Abbas also discussed the N3bn in intervention funds earmarked for the flood victims, assuring that measures have been taken to distribute the materials evenly.
He said, “With the governor, that is known for transparency. The governor of Borno, Babagana Zulum, I am sure that whatever will be provided for them from the Presidency will be judiciously distributed, so I have no fear about that”.
He said beyond Borno, intervention measures are also being considered for flood-prone states like Kaduna, among others.
“Yes, certainly. My state, Kaduna, had similar flood incidents a few weeks ago, and we have taken measures to address that by giving palliatives. We have also contacted NEMA, advising them to assist the victims there.
“We are making efforts with the Governor of Niger state to see what we can do from our end as NASS to help, and all other states that are affected, we will do what we can to help,” he stated.
