Citizens of the North east state of Borno are still counting their losses after the state was hit by a devastating flood on Tuesday, September 10, 2024
By Our Correspondent
As at the last count, over 37 people have been confirmed dead, 400 others missing, over one million people have been displaced, while other 800 have been rescued from roof tops, trees and storey buildings after Borno State was hit by heavy floods that destroyed lives and properties. That Wednesday, the 11th day of September, 2024 will for a long time remain indelible in the minds of indigenes of Borno State.
Reports have it that over N1 billion worth of goods and properties have been washed away by the flood, while 286 inmates escaped from the prison. The Zoo in the state was not spared as an outbreak of Cholera is expected, according to health experts.
No fewer than 286 inmates have reportedly escaped from the Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre following the severe flooding.
Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, confirmed that one million people were affected by the tragedy. With rescue operations in top gear, Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has rescued at least 800 victims from trees and rooftops and storey buildings.
Amid growing concern over the shortage of foodstuff and other commodities in Maiduguri as thousands of residents struggle for survival after the ravaging flood, senate President Godswill Akpabio has sympathised with the victims of the devastating floods that ravaged parts of Borno and Bauchi states.
The Maiduguri Zoo, popularly known as Sanda Kyarimi Zoo Park, lost about 80 per cent of is menagerie in the flood and others escaped. Consequently, the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has called on veterinarians to assist in rescuing the animals from residential areas.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was in Maiduguri, to assess the flood’s impact on the facility. A statement from the spokesman for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Umar Abubakar, disclosed that the Federal Government was working to evacuate the correctional centre.
Umar assured the public that the service was working with sister security agencies to take the necessary measures to ensure public safety.
Zulum disclosed this to newsmen while distributing cash and cooked food to displaced persons taking refuge in Bukassi camp, Maiduguri. He said a Health Emergency Committee has been constituted to prevent flood-related epidemics in Maiduguri and Jere.
“You can see how flooded the area is; that means waterborne diseases would be transmitted. But Insha Allah, we should get over it.“The population affected is up to one million, what we are doing this morning is to provide immediate succour, which is good, and non-food items,” he said.
The governor said he received N3 billion flood intervention fund from the Federal Government, which would be put to use in addressing the challenges faced by the victims.
He assured that the Alau Dam would be reconstructed and retrofitted to contain its volume, while illegal structures on waterways and flood-prone locations would be demolished.
Thousands of families trapped in Maiduguri flooded areas are being evacuated to safer areas by the military, volunteers and other security agencies. Visiting the most affected areas in Maiduguri, the Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo, toured the Customs area where the broken prison is located.
While on the tour, dead bodies and trapped persons were being evacuated by the military, security agencies and civilian volunteers. In the minister’s entourage were the Controllers-General of Immigration, Correctional Service and the Secretary of Civil Defence, Fire and Immigration Services Board.
The Director-General of Borno SEMA, Mohammed Barkindo, noted that the victims were treated and put under observation before being moved to safer locations.
“SEMA went with divers and rescued 719 people trapped on trees, upstairs and running water, and took them to their chosen locations. The rescue operations started yesterday (Tuesday) and continued till press time.” He said the divers improvised rescue facilities like ropes, tubes and other materials to carry out the operation.
“The flood submerged major markets, including grain, fruit and vegetable depots in the town, while many shopping complexes remain closed. The development led to a shortage of food items making the prices of the few available ones high.
“It is difficult to find foodstuff now as all major markets are submerged. I can’t operate my restaurant despite pressure from customers, because the foodstuff I stocked has been exhausted,” Hajara Mohammed said.
In a statement by his Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate president sympathised with the victims and governments of both states, saying, “Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones, properties and livelihoods.”He extended his condolences to the Vice President and other leaders whose areas were affected by the flood disasters.
According to the General Manager of the zoo, Ali Abatcha, while 80 per cent of the animals in the zoo were killed by the flood, while others escaped into the city. However, he did not state the exact number of animals kept in the zoo before the flood.
A report released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said the flood in the zoo led to some wild animals, including crocodiles and snakes, escaping their enclosures.
Flood is reportedly covering over 40 per cent of Maiduguri town, which has an estimated population of over 870,000, including the Muna and Jere IDP camps, with a combined population of approximately 230,000.
The Alau Dam is a significant water resource located approximately 15 kilometres southwest of Maiduguri. It was constructed primarily for irrigation and has a water-holding capacity of about 100 million cubic metres.
Many residents of the Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin areas were displaced. Also, vast portions of the Jere Local Council were affected.
The floodwaters overflowed the Fori Bridge, which connects Fori and Galtimari to Tashan Bama, sweeping through homes with incredible force.
The Post Office, museum, Maiduguri Teaching Hospital located in the city centre, were all affected.
Farmers harvesting their crops were severely affected by the flood as their barns were washed away.
Residents were warned to evacuate their homes near Sanda Kyarimi Park after dangerous reptiles, including snakes and crocodiles, were seen in the flooded water after part of the zoo’s fence collapsed. A crocodile from the zoo was reportedly put down to prevent danger. Several ostriches also escaped from the zoo and were seen in the town.
Many Nigerians have alluded to the fact that the deadly flooding of Borno and Bauchi States is nature’s way of protesting the hardship and hunger that is ravaging the nation orchestrated by ill-timed policies of President Bola Tinubu’s government.
