75% of Maiduguri, Borno’s capital, has been submerged by flooding, according to the National Emergency Management Agency. The flood also affected other major city locations, including the Shehu of Borno palace, Umar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi, and other high-ground areas.
Around 70% of Maiduguri city in Borno is underwater, with many trapped due to the flood intensifying during sleep. The flooding began after the Alau Dam overflowed following heavy rains. The NEMA spokesperson focuses on providing support through search and rescue and assisting affected people.
NEMA estimates that with 70% of Maiduguri’s town underwater, around 70% of the over 800,000 residents might have been affected. State government efforts to relocate displaced residents are ongoing, with three internally displaced people camps opened. The flood exceeded the forecast, and the city residents moved to higher ground in Gwangi. The state government has opened Bakasi Camp, a larger area, to accommodate those affected. The search and rescue team is working with the state emergency management agency to provide support and save lives.
Floods in Borno State have left at least 229 people dead, displaced 386,239 more, and affected 94,491 houses, mainly in the northern region. Institutions and government agencies have shut down, with the University of Maiduguri closed until further notice. President Tinubu has tasked relevant agencies to expedite rescue efforts in Maiduguri.
Nigeria’s President Tinubu has called for the immediate evacuation of people affected by the Alau Dam floods. He expressed condolences to the government and people, reassured Governor Babagana Zulum that the Federal Government is ready to address the humanitarian needs, and ordered the National Emergency Management Agency to assist flood victims. Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to assess the damage and coordinate a comprehensive response plan.
Former Senate Chief Whip Ali Ndume sympathized with the people of Borno following a devastating flood in Maiduguri. He expressed concern that the situation may worsen without immediate assistance from the Federal Government. Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abass called on the Federal Government to provide relief materials and collective intervention to assist the affected people. Abbas called for collective action to save lives and ensure the safety of the affected people.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has expressed sympathy for the victims of the Borno flooding, urging the Federal Government to collaborate with the Borno State Government to provide urgent relief. Meanwhile, 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has called on federal relief agencies to accelerate efforts to mitigate the disaster, stating that the floods have damaged 16,488 hectares of farmland, destroyed 32,000 houses, and impacted 227,000 people.
Over 200 inmates escaped from the Maiduguri correctional facility after a flood damaged its security and structure. The Nigeria Correctional Service Borno Command confirmed the jailbreak and recaptured three of the escapees. The National Commission on Prisons (NCoS) is taking decisive measures to manage the situation, including evacuating inmates to safer facilities and coordinating with security agencies.
The National Commission on the Safety of Inmates (NCoS) in Maiduguri, Nigeria, is ensuring public safety by evacuating inmates to safer facilities and collaborating with other agencies. The agency is working to ensure a smooth transfer process and appreciates the Presidency and Vice President’s visit to assess the situation. The flooding has forced businesses to shut down, and residents are scampered for safety, leaving valuables behind.
A flood in Somalia has caused widespread destruction, causing fear among pregnant women and business owners. A pregnant woman, Nafisat Mujahid, is in fear due to her antenatal date. A businessman in Monday Market lost everything and blamed the government for not informing residents about the release of water. The largest zoo in the city reported that 80 percent of its animals died.
Borno State Museum Park has reported a flood disaster, causing property damage and animal loss. The Arewa Consultative Forum expressed condolences to Nigerians, particularly northerners, and urged emergency response agencies to provide immediate aid, including food, shelter, healthcare, and safe drinking water. The forum also urged for the quick recovery of injured individuals.
