- Inmates recaptured after jail break
- Wildanimals released into city
- Government open IDP camps for victims
- Rescue mission ongoing as many still displaced
Maiduguri has experienced the worst kind of flooding as thousands of inhabitants have been displaced.
The Nigerian Correctional Service stated that it has recaptured three inmates after a jailbreak occurred during the flooding.
Sanda Kayarimi Park Zoo has also suffered the loss of 80 percent of its animals as a result of the flood.
It is the most devastating flood to occur in Borno State in 30 years.
70 percent of Maiduguri has been submerged by the fast-moving waters, according to the National Emergency Management Agency.
Other major city locations affected by the flood include: the Palace of the Shehu of Borno, Umar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi, the state secretariat, post office, cemetery, Lagos Area, Bulabulin, Gwange, Monday Market, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and Kofar Shehu.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is currently abroad, has called for the immediate evacuation of residents incommunities overtaken by floods.
According to NEMA spokesman, Manzo Ezekiel in a correspondence with The Punch said many people were trapped as some people woke up to discover themselves inside water:
“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.
“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.”
The NEMA spokesperson also commented that Borno’s flat ground geology made it easier for water to flow into passage areas in Maiduguri city, adding that the flood began after the Alau Dam overflowed following heavy rains.
“The overflow of the main source of the dam in Borno State, called Alau Dam, has brought the city to be underwater since last weekend. So, our attention now and our energy are geared towards providing necessary support, by way of search and rescue, and supporting people that have been impacted. That is what we are doing now.”
According to reports, with the 70 percent of the town underwater, an estimate of 560,000 Maiduguri residents out of the over 800,000 residents have been affected.
Evacuating displaced residents According to the NEMA spokesperson, state government efforts were ongoing to relocate displaced residents.
Three Internally Displaced People (IDP) Camps have been opened to accommodate the affected persons.
“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. By the way, what is happening in Maiduguri is something that was not envisaged, and that it will be to this extent. The flooding has exceeded the forecast made because of what is happening in Maiduguri today (Tuesday).”
According to Manzo, the city residents had moved to higher ground when the initial flood started in Gwangi. However, the higher ground has been overtaken by water, leading the state government to open the Bakasi Camp, a bigger area, for people to move into.
“Our team is on ground there, and we are working with the state emergency management agency to provide the necessary support, and to save lives from the flooding,” Manzo added.
“Initially, about three camps were open in Gwangi, but with this situation now, people have moved to join their relations on the higher ground, and those that do not have relations in the higher part of the town, have moved to Bakasi Camp.”
The Borno State Emergency Management Agency also complained about the destructive nature of the flooding. The Director-General of the agency, Barkindo Muhammad who went for rescue ended up trapped in the waters as reported.
Already, several institutions and government agencies have shut down, with the University of Maiduguri closed until further notice
NEMA figures show that floods have killed at least 229 people this year alone, 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.
In a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, he said the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed concerns over the flooding disaster and has tasked relevant government agencies on rescue efforts.
He said he is also ready to collaborate with the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected people.
The former Chief Whip, Ali Ndume who also represents Borno South laments the sympathetic state of the state capital. Similarly, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass called on the Federal Government to provide relief materials to the flood victims.
The minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also conveyed the government’s sympathy to the Maiduguri flood victims.
Also, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to accelerate relief efforts for the victims while expressing his condolences to the people.
Reports also show that 200 inmates escaped from the Maiduguri correctional facility, after floodwaters ravaged the security barrier. However, three of the escaped inmates have been arrested.
Meanwhile, the NCoS has said that it was taking measures to ensure evacuating the inmates to safer facilities and ensuring continuous operation of its services.
The flooding has forced a shutdown of businesses as residents struggle to relocate to higher grounds.
The Kofar Shehu Area which houses the Shehu of Borno was also affected as the Traditional head was relocated to safer grounds.
Residents have complained that the dam was released unannounced at night which led to the unexpected rising waters and have affected life as they know it.
While NEMA hasn’t disclosed the number of lives lost, the management of the biggest zoo in the city said 80 percent of their animals died from the catastrophe with the rest being released into the community including snakes and crocodiles.
The Flooding which started during the weekend and worsened in the coming days was as a result of the excess water from Alau Dam.
Continuous efforts is required to abate this disaster in the state capital.
