MAIDUGURI, Borno State — Borno State has been plunged into one of its worst natural disasters in 30 years after the collapse of the Alau Dam. The catastrophic flooding has submerged 70% of Maiduguri, the state capital, leaving thousands of residents displaced and critical infrastructure underwater. What was once a vibrant urban hub is now a scene of despair, as floodwaters ravage homes, institutions, businesses, and public landmarks, and the Nigerian government scrambles to provide relief.
Borno faces its worst flood disaster in 30 years, submerging 70% of Maiduguri. Thousands displaced, zoo animals dead, jailbreak, and urgent federal government intervention as President Tinubu orders evacuation and rescue efforts. September 11, 2024.
In an extraordinary turn of events, the Nigerian Correctional Service reported a jailbreak that saw over 200 inmates escape the flood-damaged correctional facility. Though three escapees have been recaptured, the situation remains critical as local and federal authorities work around the clock to regain control amidst the chaos.
The magnitude of the disaster has not only displaced thousands but also led to the loss of nearly 80% of the animals at Maiduguri’s iconic Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo. Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, who is currently abroad, has urgently ordered the evacuation of flood-affected communities and tasked federal agencies with expediting relief efforts.
This is not just a flood—this is a full-scale humanitarian crisis, and the very heart of Borno State is drowning.
The Flood That Came Without Warning
What began as heavy rains in Borno State has escalated into an unprecedented catastrophe, with the collapse of the Alau Dam on the outskirts of Maiduguri. The dam, which provides water to the region, overflowed after days of torrential downpours, sending fast-moving waters into the city and neighbouring communities. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reports that nearly 70% of Maiduguri is now underwater, with thousands of residents waking up to their homes completely submerged.
NEMA’s spokesman, Manzo Ezekiel, painted a grim picture of the unfolding disaster: “Many people are trapped as the flood intensified when people were sleeping; some woke up to discover that they were inside water,” he said. The flat terrain of Maiduguri has exacerbated the situation, allowing floodwaters to flow swiftly into even areas considered safe havens.
In a city that houses over 800,000 residents, the scale of displacement is massive. With no official count yet, NEMA estimates that about 70% of the population may have been affected by the flood, which hit with such force that many institutions—including the palace of the Shehu of Borno, the state secretariat, post office, and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital—are now inaccessible.
Destruction Beyond Imagination: Infrastructure in Ruins
The list of affected areas reads like a tour of Maiduguri’s most important landmarks, all of which are now either submerged or heavily damaged. The bustling Monday Market, the Lagos Area, Gwange, and Kofar Shehu have all been overrun by floodwaters, crippling trade and daily life. The Shehu of Borno, Umar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi, was evacuated from his palace after floodwaters breached the compound, while the University of Maiduguri has been forced to close indefinitely.
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching report comes from the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo, where 80% of the animals have perished in the flood. The zoo’s management described the scene as apocalyptic, with crocodiles, snakes, and other deadly creatures now loose in the floodwaters, posing a new threat to residents.
“We were not prepared for this level of disaster. Some deadly animals have been washed away into our communities,” a zoo official confirmed in a statement.
Jailbreak Amid the Chaos: Over 200 Inmates Escape
In the aftermath of the flood, reports of a jailbreak have added a chilling dimension to an already chaotic situation. The Nigerian Correctional Service in Maiduguri confirmed that more than 200 inmates escaped after floodwaters compromised the perimeter fence of the facility. The floodwaters destroyed barriers and weakened the structure, giving inmates a chance to flee.
Bala Adamu, spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service in Borno, stated that three of the escapees had been recaptured, but a manhunt was still underway for the remaining inmates. “We are still assessing the number of inmates who escaped from the prison. Our immediate priority is to regain control of the situation and ensure public safety,” Adamu said.
Meanwhile, authorities have launched an emergency evacuation plan to relocate remaining inmates to safer facilities. The situation is being closely monitored, as security forces work with local and federal emergency agencies to regain control.
Federal Government Intervenes: Tinubu Orders Immediate Action
President Bola Tinubu, though currently abroad, has been briefed on the disaster and is taking swift action to mitigate the humanitarian crisis. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu called for the immediate evacuation of residents from affected areas and instructed federal agencies, including NEMA and the Nigerian Army, to expedite rescue and relief efforts.
“President Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Borno State, especially to the families that have lost their means of livelihood due to the disaster triggered by the overflow of the Alau Dam,” the statement reads. The President assured Governor Babagana Zulum that the Federal Government is ready to collaborate fully in addressing the urgent humanitarian needs.
Vice President Kashim Shettima also arrived in Maiduguri to personally assess the damage and oversee rescue efforts. In a statement, Shettima expressed deep concern over the extent of the disaster and urged all relevant government agencies to provide immediate relief to affected communities.
A City in Crisis: The Humanitarian Cost
The flood has transformed Maiduguri into a disaster zone. Thousands of residents have been displaced, with many finding temporary shelter in hastily set-up Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. Three such camps have been opened to accommodate the influx of displaced persons, though the true number of affected people remains unknown.
“The flooding has exceeded the forecast made. People who initially moved to higher ground found themselves overtaken by water. Our team is working around the clock to rescue and relocate those affected,” said Manzo Ezekiel, NEMA’s spokesman.
Local officials have described the flooding as “terrible.” Barkindo Muhammad, Director-General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, added, “We went for a rescue mission and found ourselves trapped by the flood. This situation is beyond anything we’ve ever dealt with.”
A Broader National Crisis
The Borno flood is just the latest in a string of devastating floods to hit Nigeria this year. According to NEMA, floods have killed at least 229 people in 2024, displaced around 386,239 others, and damaged over 94,000 houses across the country. More than 125,805 hectares of farmland have also been destroyed, a significant blow to Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Senate Chief Whip Ali Ndume expressed his dismay at the level of destruction in his home state. “What has happened in Maiduguri is unfortunate. The level of damage is beyond what anyone could have imagined,” Ndume said.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also called for urgent federal intervention, describing the situation as “catastrophic.” He urged federal agencies to expedite their response to the disaster, warning of the far-reaching economic implications of the flooding.
The Road to Recovery: A Long and Arduous Journey
As Maiduguri faces the arduous task of recovery, the city’s future remains uncertain. With businesses shut down, schools closed, and thousands of lives disrupted, the humanitarian toll will be long-lasting. Residents like Nafisat Mujahid, a pregnant woman whose delivery date is fast approaching, are particularly vulnerable. “I’m scared for my baby,” she said. “The hospital I was meant to deliver in is now underwater.”
The road to recovery will require coordinated efforts from both the government and international relief agencies. For now, Maiduguri remains in the grip of a disaster that has changed the city forever.
Conclusion
The Maiduguri flood has brought Borno State to its knees. With 70% of the city underwater, over 200 inmates on the run, and thousands displaced, this is more than just a natural disaster—it is a full-blown humanitarian crisis. Federal and state authorities are racing against time to provide relief, but the scale of destruction is daunting.
As Nigeria braces for the long road to recovery, the people of Maiduguri will need all the support they can get, both from the government and the international community. With President Tinubu’s directive for immediate intervention and Vice President Shettima’s on-ground assessment, there is hope that the worst may be behind them. But for now, Maiduguri is a city drowning in despair.