The devastating flood in Maiduguri has led to the evacuation of thousands of trapped families by the military, volunteers, and other security agencies. Rescue efforts are currently focused on the most severely affected areas, with both the living and the deceased being removed from submerged regions.
During a visit to the flooded zones, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo toured the Customs area, which includes a prison that was impacted by the flood. The military, along with other agencies and civilian volunteers, has been working tirelessly to evacuate trapped individuals and recover the bodies of those who have died.
While floodwaters have receded in some areas, other locations like Gamboru Market, Kasuwan Shanu, Custom Area, Fori, and Abbaganaram remain heavily inundated. Infrastructure, shops, and vehicles in these areas are submerged, and the Nigerian Prisons facility is still under water.
The most vulnerable—women, children, and the elderly—are among those being rescued and relocated to safer areas. Accompanying the Minister were high-ranking officials from various security and emergency services, including the Controller-Generals of Immigration and Correctional Services.
Several aerial videos and images shared by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) display rows of homes submerged in floodwater. Maiduguri, known as the epicenter of a long-running insurgency, is now facing its worst flood in 30 years, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
NEMA spokesperson Ezekiel Manzo described the situation as unprecedented, noting that parts of the city that had not experienced flooding in many years were now under water. The flood was caused by the rupture of the Alau Dam on the Ngadda River, which released a massive surge of water downstream, submerging thousands of homes and displacing over 150,000 people.
According to NEMA’s zonal coordinator, Surajo Garba, more than 23,000 households have been affected, with the number expected to rise above 200,000 as more areas are hit by the flood.
Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who hails from Maiduguri, confirmed that the flooding was caused by excess water from the Alau Dam after the collapse of its spillways. He visited the affected areas and described the widespread damage inflicted on the communities.
Among the city’s submerged landmarks are the post office and zoo. Authorities have raised concerns that dangerous animals may have escaped due to the flooding, with one viral social media post showing an ostrich wandering the streets after reportedly escaping from the zoo.
