No fewer than eight buildings have collapsed, a public graveyard has been submerged, and numerous residents have been displaced following over three hours of torrential rainfall in Maiduguri and surrounding areas on Wednesday.
The deluge triggered severe flooding in communities such as Bulumkutu, Damboa, Moduganari, and parts of Jere Local Government Area. Particularly alarming was the submersion of a graveyard in the Jajeri area, where local residents expressed deep concern over the integrity of the burial grounds.
In a widely circulated video, a resident of Jajeri, who chose to remain anonymous, appealed to the Borno State government for urgent intervention.
“We are calling on the state government to act fast. Many of the graves in the cemetery are collapsing. This is beyond our control,” he said.
Police Response and Preventative Measures
The Borno State Police Command confirmed that while eight buildings were destroyed by the floodwaters, no casualties were recorded.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, noted that patrol teams had been deployed across all affected zones, including Gomari, Jidari, Ibrahim Taiwo Estate, and other vulnerable neighbourhoods.
“To forestall any breakdown of law and order, officers have been stationed at strategic locations to safeguard evacuated homes and prevent looting or other criminal activity,” Daso stated.
He added that the response was led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, DC Garba Audu Bosso, supported by ACP Jawi Muhammed and multiple Divisional Police Officers.
Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, commended the rapid response of security personnel and urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding. He also issued a public advisory, warning parents to keep children away from floodwaters due to the high risk of injury or drowning.
Recurring Crisis and Dam Concerns
This latest flood event comes nearly 10 months after the devastating September 2024 disaster, which displaced over one million people and caused widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure across Maiduguri.
The Alau Dam, whose collapsed dykes were largely blamed for that incident, is still undergoing rehabilitation. Many citizens have since called on the Federal Government to expedite repair works, citing persistent vulnerability to flooding in the region.
With the rainy season intensifying, there is growing pressure on local and national authorities to bolster drainage infrastructure, strengthen early warning systems, and fast-track dam repairs to avert future tragedies.
