The terrible flood in Maiduguri, Borno State’s capital, has displaced at least 414,000 people and killed an additional 30.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency, the flood began when the Alau Dam spilt after heavy rains, resulting in the town’s worst flooding in 30 years, as reported by the United Nations Human Rights Refugee Council and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council citizens.
On Wednesday, NEMA spokesman Manzo Ezekiel told The PUNCH that the death toll had reached 30 and that almost 500,000 people had been affected.
Manzo said:
“It’s 30 people that have been recorded dead so far, around 414,000 people were displaced and are in nine IDP camps across the state.”
According to NEMA, more than 23,000 houses have been affected by the quick rise of water following the weekend break of the Alau dam on the Ngadda River, 20 km south of Maiduguri.
According to NEMA, 70% of Maiduguri was submerged by the fast-moving waters, which ravaged major city locations such as the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Umar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi; the state secretariat, post office, cemetery, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The flood also carried away 80% of the animals at Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo, causing damage to households, schools, commerce and worship centres.