Over 30 people have lost their lives, and more than 400,000 residents have been displaced due to catastrophic flooding in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. The flood, triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam, has wreaked havoc across multiple communities, leaving behind a trail of destruction in Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin.As thousands of people flee their homes, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the massive scale of the disaster.
According to Manzo Ezekiel, NEMA spokesperson, over 100,000 of the displaced residents are now taking refuge in various internally displaced persons (IDP) camps set up by the Borno State government. “As of Tuesday, we have recorded over 30 deaths and more than 400,000 people displaced by the flood,” Ezekiel stated.
The Alau Dam, which had been operating at full capacity for the past week, gave way, inundating large sections of Maiduguri and surrounding areas. Authorities are scrambling to provide emergency relief as residents remain stranded.
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The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has stepped in to collaborate with government agencies and provide urgent relief. NEDC Managing Director, Mohammed Goni Alkali, alongside his team, visited the flood-ravaged areas to assess the extent of the damage.
Alkali promised immediate relief to victims and assured that a full investigation would be conducted to prevent future occurrences.The Borno State government has called for national support, as the incident has elicited widespread sympathy across Nigeria. Efforts are underway to return displaced residents to their homes once the floodwaters recede, but the road to recovery will undoubtedly be long.
