At least 30 people have been confirmed dead following severe flooding in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, according to officials on Wednesday. The flood caused widespread devastation, submerging hundreds of homes and damaging farmlands, residential areas, and business premises.
The disaster occurred after the collapse of the Alau Dam, which sent floodwaters surging from 10 kilometers away into Maiduguri, leading to significant loss of life and property.
Ezekiel Manzo, spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed the death toll, stating, “The death toll is 30.” However, local residents fear the actual number of casualties could be much higher, with some estimating the figure could exceed 60.
Tasiu Abdullahi, a resident of the severely impacted Gwange area, said, “Nobody knows the exact number of people who died in this catastrophe.” Taxi driver Babagana Modu echoed similar concerns, suggesting the toll may be significantly underreported.
Key areas affected include Monday Market, the Shehu of Borno’s Palace, Shehuri, Gwange, Adamkolo, Gamboru, Fori, Bulabulin, Post Office areas, Moromoro, and the Customs Bridge. In a particularly distressing scene, the Gwange cemetery was washed away, with corpses seen floating through the streets.
Parts of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) were also flooded, leaving patients stranded.
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, revealed that around one million people have been affected by the flood. Speaking to reporters while distributing cash and food to displaced persons at Bakassi Camp in Maiduguri, Governor Zulum noted that the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
He added that a rescue team has been deployed to evaluate the losses in lives and property, and a health emergency committee has been established to address potential outbreaks of flood-related diseases in Maiduguri and Jere.
