By Cross Udo and Nathaniel Zacchaeus
In a heart breaking turn of events, the city of Maiduguri has been engulfed in tragedy as devastating floods ravaged the capital of Borno State, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
The flood, fuelled by torrential rains, has displaced thousands of residents, many of whom struggle to find shelter and safety amid the chaos.
The floodwaters submerged major roads, houses, and shops in Maiduguri metropolis and parts of the Jere Local Government Area.
Some of the public infrastructure submerged by the flood included the Shehu’s Palace, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo.
A prison wall located along the Custom area was broken by flood as some inmates allegedly drowned while several others escaped for their lives.
Major roads within the state capital, including the Post Office Roundabout, which links major locations in the capital, are flooded, thereby cutting off vehicular movement within the metropolis.
The Abbaganaram, Custom Road along which the flooded prison is located, Tashan Bama, Custom Road, Monday Market, Gamboru Market Custom Area, Cattle Market in old Maiduguri, Gwange area, Lagos Street are all communities affected by the flood.
The Maiduguri Zoo, known as Sanda Kyarimi Zoo Park, was also flooded. The zoo’s General Manager, Ali Abatcha, said 80 percent of the animals in the zoo were killed by the flood, while the others escaped into the city capital.
Several shop owners and small-scale businesses are also affected by the flood.
Touring safer areas within Maiduguri, thousands of women and children are relocating along with their belongings.
Many of them are seen taking refuge under trees at the major roads.
Apart from the large volume of rainfall experienced this year, the flood, according to multiple sources, is a result of the leakage of the bank of Alo Dam, a major source of water supply to Maiduguri. The dam draws its water from the River Ngadda in Cameroon and Lake Chad.
*Tinubu orders immediate evacuation of people in flooding parts of Maiduguri
Irked by the disaster, President Bola Tinubu yesterday called for the immediate evacuation of people from affected flooding areas in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The President also expressed deep concern about the flooding in parts of the state capital.
Tinubu, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, extended 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.
According to the statement, “While relevant authorities are still assessing the damage wrought by the flood, the President calls for the immediate evacuation of people from affected areas.”
Tinubu assured Governor Babagana Zulum that the Federal Government is ready to collaborate to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected people.
He ordered the National Emergency Management Agency to assist the flood victims.
The President said he remained committed to mobilising federal resources to support the state during this difficult time.
*We’ll tackle flood disaster head-on with our new roadmap, Shettima assures
Similarly, Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will tackle the challenges of floods in Nigeria.
The Vice President, who gave the assurance in Maiduguri yesterday, noted that though the factors leading to the ravaging flood and other recurring disasters in the country are diverse, President Tinubu has already developed a comprehensive roadmap aimed at addressing these challenges head-on.
The VP is in Maiduguri for an on-the-spot assessment of the ravaging floods that have displaced communities in the state.
Commiserating with the victims of the flood disaster, VP Shettima disclosed that President Tinubu not only expressed his “deepest sympathies but has also assured that the federal government will prioritise the welfare of the affected communities.”
He said, “I am deeply devastated by the flood that has engulfed Maiduguri and its environs. My heart goes out to the families who have tragically lost their homes and livelihoods in this calamity. Our grief is shared, but so is our resolve to offer support and comfort as you recover from this disaster.
“Now, more than ever, we are compelled as a nation to come together to overcome the losses suffered, and we are committed to finding lasting solutions to this recurring issue.
“The flood, which began over the weekend and worsened in the following days, directly resulted from excess water from the Alau Dam. The spillways’ collapse unleashed a significant surge of water downstream, causing widespread flooding in the surrounding communities.
“As we speak, efforts are ongoing to evacuate and resettle residents in the affected areas, while ensuring the provision of food, shelter, and medical assistance until the situation stabilises.
“In response to our 2024 Flood Outlook, we implemented comprehensive contingency plans and adopted proactive measures to mitigate potential impacts. Despite these preparations, the severity of this flood has far exceeded our estimates, marking the most catastrophic flood in Maiduguri in over three decades.
“The flood’s unprecedented scale has presented challenges beyond our previous experiences. Nonetheless, the Federal Government remains determined in its commitment.
“As with other states facing similar crises, we will continue with the plans previously initiated in collaboration with the Borno State government. We are resolute in mobilising all necessary resources to ensure the safety and support of affected persons and areas.
“This disaster serves as a sobering reminder of the increasing threats posed by climate change, not just globally, but mainly to regions like ours. Nigeria’s vulnerability to flood disasters has been highlighted repeatedly, as witnessed during the devastating floods of 2012, 2018, and 2022.
“The factors contributing to these recurring disasters are diverse, and for this reason, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has developed a comprehensive roadmap to address these challenges head-on.
“The government has intensified its interventions in flood-prone areas in light of data gathered by our emergency response agencies and early warning centres.
“These areas, characterised by erratic rainfall patterns and complex river basin dynamics, have been prioritised in our flood mitigation strategies to safeguard communities, protect agricultural zones, and reinforce critical infrastructure.
“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the government of Borno State for its swift and effective response to this tragic situation. I also want to acknowledge the remarkable resilience of the good people of Maiduguri and surrounding areas, who have demonstrated extraordinary compassion by being their neighbours’ keepers.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has expressed his deepest sympathies and assured that the federal government will prioritise the welfare of the affected communities. In collaboration with Governor Babagana Zulum, we are determined to ensure that our mitigation and recovery efforts reach every corner impacted by this disaster.
“I am in Maiduguri to oversee the implementation of comprehensive flood mitigation measures. These measures will align with our Flood Outlook reports, which are informed by historical data, climate forecasts, and hydrological modelling, to provide a clear path forward in managing the varying degrees of flood risks across different regions and timelines.
“We will overcome this tragedy as long as our resolve remains strong, as long as we remain united, as long as we remain compassionate, and as long as we prioritise strategic actions to emerge from this even stronger than ever.”
*Borno flood, national calamity — Buhari
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has described the recent flood that caused havoc in Borno State and other parts of the country as a national calamity.
The former President expressed his hope that the relief measures taken by the various governments would provide comfort and help people who had lost their family members and livelihoods resume their normal lives.
This was contained in a statement issued by Mallam Garba Shehu yesterday in Abuja.
The statement read, “Former President Muhammadu Buhari sends commiserations to the government and people of Borno and the other states, following severe floods caused by incessant downpour, describing it as a national calamity.
“The former President said he had heard of the widespread devastation of homes, farmland, and the loss of life in Borno and several other states of the federation and expressed his hope that the relief measures by the various governments would provide comfort and help people who had lost their family members and livelihood to resume their normal lives. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this natural disaster.”
*Senators sympathise with victims
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and former Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume have expressed their sympathy with the victims of the Maiduguri floods.
Barau, in a statement by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, yesterday extended his heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the government and people of Borno State over the devastating floods in the state.
The statement read, “My thoughts and prayers are with the government and people of Borno State over the devastating floods that have displaced thousands of residents.
“As we extend our deepest sympathies to those affected, I pray to Allah (SWT) to grant comfort and strength to those displaced, Amin Ya Allah.”
Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, called on the Federal Government, international communities, and development partners to immediately intervene and support the victims whose property was destroyed by the ravaging flood.
He sympathised with the people and Government of the state because the environmental disaster submerged many homes in parts of the state capital, Maiduguri.
The immediate past Chief Whip of the Red Chamber made the call in a statement yesterday.
The state government announced earlier yesterday that the flood submerged many homes following the alleged breakdown of Alau Dam, which has been filled to capacity for the past week.
The state government said in a statement, “Due to the unusually high volume of water this year, we urge all the residents living along the river bank to take immediate action to protect themselves and their properties.
“The Alau Dam water has broken down another channel that is destroying farms, and the water is heading toward the river bank.”
Ndume, who just returned from Borno, where he reached out to families affected by insurgency in the Southern Senatorial District of the state, said he was devastated by the news report about the ravaging flood.
The Senator said all hands must be on deck, including development partners and other government agencies, to immediately mobilise and help affected residents and homes in Maiduguri.
He said the State Government, being very proactive, has already activated all mechanisms to salvage the situation by evaluating people from affected areas and providing the needed support.
He, however, lamented that the gravity of the damage caused by the flooding is beyond the State Government’s control, hence the need for the Federal Government to immediately step in and assist the residents in getting the needed support.
Already, some institutions and government agencies have shut down.
For instance, the University of Maiduguri has been closed until further notice
The university management announced the temporary closure yesterday by its registrar, Ahmad Lawan.
The institution, sympathised with staff members and students affected by the disaster.
