Borno State government tells residents in Maiduguri to take immediate action to protect themselves against floods and orders the closure of all schools for two weeks.

Residents of Maiduguri in Borno State in Nigeria’s northeast have been told to immediately evacuate flood-prone areas, secure their property with sandbags, avoid travel and keep food, water and first-aid kits easily accessible.

As rain continues to pelt down, the message is clear: “Stay safe, stay informed.”

But residents say the warning has come too late.

The Borno State government issued the warning early on Tuesday, September 10, urging residents living along the riverbanks in Maiduguri to take immediate action to protect themselves and their properties against floods.

It also ordered the immediate shutdown of all schools across the state for two weeks.

Having initially downplayed the situation, the government has now confirmed the Alau Dam is overflowing.

Radio Ndarason 88.5 FM Maiduguri has been inundated with calls from the city’s residents who say they government did not give them enough warning and they did not have time to prepare.

About 70% of communities are experiencing floods. Residents told RNI that they are stranded and do not know where to go.

They claim the government has not made any rescue efforts.

They are running out of clean drinking water and food. Fuel stations are closed, so they cannot fill up their tanks.

Residents say the floods are preventing them from accessing primary healthcare centres, the State Specialist Hospital or the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Wild animals have escaped from the city’s zoo and it is feared that crocodiles could have made their way into the river.

Ali Abatcha Don Best, the general manager of the zoo, said in a statement released on Tuesday that floodwaters had damaged properties and more than 80% of the animals had lost their lives.

He said “some deadly animals” – including crocodiles and snakes – had been “washed away into our communities”.

He warned the public “to be aware and take all the necessary precautions and measures to avoid these animals”.

“With regret, [a] sense of concern and responsibility, the general manager wishes to ensure [the] safety and protection of the remaining living things within his jurisdiction.”

He said he was praying “for quick relief from Almighty Allah and called all citizens to pray and turn back to Almighty Allah”.

In the urgent government warning, the Borno State Ministry of Information and Internal Security said the Alau Dam had broken another channel, destroying farms.

The immediate risks were:

• Flooding of homes and businesses;
• Damage to properties and infrastructure;
• Disruption of essential services – electricity, water and sanitation;
• Increased risk of waterborne diseases; and
• Potential loss of life.

Residents were recommended to:

1. Evacuate immediately: Move to higher ground or designated safe zones;
2. Secure property: With sandbags, barriers and other flood-protection measures;
3. Stay informed: Monitor local news, warnings and updates;
4. Avoid travel: Unless absolutely necessary, avoid travelling to or through flood-prone areas; and
5. Follow evacuation routes: Use designated evacuation routes to ensure safe passage.

Additional tips included:

• Stay away from flooded areas to avoid contaminated water and hidden dangers;
• Keep essential items, such as food, water and first-aid kits, easily accessible; and
• Consider relocating valuable items to higher ground or elevated areas.

The ministry told residents to “stay safe and stay informed”.

“Remember, your safety is the top priority. Take all necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

On Monday, September 9, Grema Bulama, the acting director of schools services, announced the statewide shutdown of all schools – government and private, primary and secondary.

“Due to the ongoing flooding across the state and its adverse effects, the Borno State Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation has directed a statewide closure of all public and private schools until Monday, September 23.

“We urge all concerned parties to comply strictly with this directive.

“We regret any inconvenience this notice may have caused and we appreciate your understanding.”

Schools were scheduled to open on Monday, September 9, but many across the state are occupied by people displaced by floods.

Hundreds of homes have been flooded and destroyed and farmlands and roads submerged and washed away as heavy downpours continue across the state. Mud houses have disintegrated.

A video published by RNI on its Facebook page on Tuesday morning showed flooding at the Shehu’s Palace in Maiduguri. A post said houses, shops and the Monday Market were flooded.

The shutdown followed a visit on Thursday, September 5, to the Alau Dam.

The dam is the primary source of drinking water for Maiduguri and surrounding areas, including the Jere Local Government Area.

Babagana Umara Zulum, the governor of Borno State, sent the high-powered delegation to assess the impact of water overflow at the dam which has a reservoir capacity of 112 million cubic meters and was designed to support irrigation on the riverbank.

Alhaji Bukar Tijani, the secretary to the state government (SSG), led the delegation, which comprised Baba Bukar Gujibawu, the special adviser (SA) to the governor on monitoring and evaluation, Adam Bababe, the executive secretary of the Borno Geographic Information Service, Sadu Auno, the executive secretary of the State Road Maintenance Agency and Mohammed Saidu Barkindo, the director-general of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

They were met at the dam by Mohammed Zannah, the acting managing director of the Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA).

Briefing Tijani at the time, Zannah said that despite high water levels, the present conditions did not pose a severe threat to the city, noting that all necessary measures had been put in place to control the situation.

After the visit, Tijani assured residents of Maiduguri that the dam was “not broken”, adding that the state government was working with the CBDA to take steps to protect Maiduguri from flooding.

However, residents living along the riverbanks were warned to be vigilant and to move to higher ground following the overflow.

Buildings and farmlands have already been flooded in the Gwange and Maduganari wards of Maiduguri. Houses in Galtinari and Fori were destroyed. People have moved out of Bulabulin because of rising river water.

Residents in flood-prone areas – including Logos Street, Moromoro and Customs Bridge, said houses along the riverbanks had been submerged.

They said they were worried that the Alau Dam, which was close to capacity, could release excess water at any time, which would worsen the situation and cause more damage.

SEMA’s Barkindo reassured residents that measures were in place to protect lives and mitigate potential damage to property.

“Residents living near the riverbanks should remain vigilant as the water levels are rising daily.”

He said the government was committed to maintaining the safety and integrity of all water facilities under its jurisdiction.

Zulum directed the immediate activation of all resources and machinery to avert any flood disaster in Maiduguri, its environs and other parts of the state.

In a statement released at the weekend, Zulum said the heavy downpours “might possibly lead to flooding”.

He instructed all relevant government agencies and local councils to continually assess vulnerable areas, implement preventive measures and conduct public awareness campaigns across all communities.

He cautioned the public to be conscious about the possible risks, be vigilant and abide by all directives from government agencies and constituted authorities on all emergency response protocols.

He directed all local government councils to mobilise officials and units to conduct site assessments and collaborate with relevant civil society organisations (CSOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), community and religious leaders, and institutions.

“We cannot afford to be complacent in the face of this impending challenge. It is imperative that we should mobilise all our resources, engage all stakeholders across communities and implement effective measures to safeguard our people,” he said.

Tijani is coordinating the flood emergency responses to ensure Zulum’s directives are fully implemented so that the safety of all residents is ensured.

At least 10 people died and more than 300 houses destroyed in the Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Abba Bukar, a driver from Damboa, told RNI that a commercial bus carrying 10 passengers was submerged in floodwaters along the Damboa-Chibok road on Wednesday, September 4.

Rescuers managed to save only the driver. The bodies of the passengers were washed away in the torrent of water. They were found and buried on Thursday.

“The flood partly destroyed the road. It washed away some structures, making it difficult for motorists to pass.

“We have never witnessed a flood that destroyed the road linking Chibok and Damboa. This is the first time such a devastating flood has occurred,” Bukar said.

Ba Abba, a resident of Damboa, lost his brother in the floodwaters.

“My brother drowned while he was trying to save the bus passengers. He was swept away.

“Most of the people who drowned were from the neighbouring local council of Chibok.”

Alkali Mustapha, RNI’s reporter in Damboa, said his elder sister’s husband was one of the passengers on the bus. His body was swept away.

After 24 hours of heavy rain, more than 300 houses were flooded and destroyed in Damboa town on Tuesday September 3. The worst-hit areas were Kazalla-Burari-Kura, Kasu-Din and Wulari.

A flood victim, Baba Kaka Goni Bukar, said more than 1,000 people were displaced.

“We are taking refuge in public buildings. Some people went to stay with their relatives. Others are living in temporary shelters on open fields. It is a disaster. People have lost all their belongings. We need urgent humanitarian aid.”

Amina Waziri said her home was “completely submerged and destroyed”.

“I am staying at my daughter’s house in Damboa town. I have 12 children to take care of and very little money and food. Everything I own was washed away in the flood.

“I am helpless, hopeless and homeless. I am begging philanthropists, non-governmental organisations and the government for support to repair our destroyed homes and to give us food.”

Bulama Modu told RNI that this was the second time houses in Damboa town had been destroyed by floodwaters.

“On Monday, August 19, a heavy downpour caused serious flooding, submerging about 50 houses and completely destroying at least 20. The flood destroyed my four houses, displacing me and my family.

“We had 24 hours of heavy rain on Monday, September 2, and on Tuesday floodwaters destroyed more than 300 houses. Thousands of people are displaced. The situation is dire.”

In the Dikwa Local Government Area, thousands of people are in urgent need of humanitarian aid after floodwaters destroyed houses and farms.

Falta Borum, a resident of Dikwa town, told RNI that displaced people were taking refuge in government buildings, many of them in public schools.

“The flood destroyed our houses and property. We are now living in the public school without food and clean drinking water.”

Hajja Kyellu said that her house was also destroyed in floods.

“We are sheltering at the school. There are no proper toilet facilities and very little food. Our living conditions are terrible. Five or six people share one room. We desperately need humanitarian assistance.”

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO