Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the catastrophic flooding in Maiduguri as a “dire national emergency” following the overflow and breach of the Alau Dam, which has displaced thousands of residents and triggered an urgent humanitarian crisis.
In a statement shared on his official X handle on Tuesday, Atiku highlighted the severity of the disaster, emphasising the widespread destruction caused by the floods.
The flood, which is a result of the collapse of water channels at the Alau Dam, displaced many residents of Maiduguri.
Residential quarters, including parts of the Shehu of Borno Palace, Maiduguri Central Market, and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, have been submerged.
Roads and bridges have also been submerged resulting in the inaccessibility of many areas.
Reports say GRA, Maiduguri Zoo, College of Nursing, College of Agriculture, and School of Health Technology, among others, are areas also badly hit by the flood.
Atiku while commiserating with victims of the disaster, said his heart goes out to the people and government of Borno State as they grapple with the profound economic repercussions of the disaster.
He further called on the public to adhere closely to the government’s guidelines, especially as it relates to evacuating fom areas vulnerable to flooding.
Atiku said: “The catastrophic flooding in Maiduguri has reached the level of a dire national emergency. According to media reports, the devastation is the result of the Alau Dam’s overflow and subsequent breach, which has forcibly displaced thousands of residents. This deluge has ravaged farms and plunged a significant portion of Maiduguri into an urgent humanitarian crisis. I am also informed by available statistics from NEMA that recent floods have damaged approximately 16,488 hectares of farmland across 27 states; destroyed 32,000 houses, and impacted no less than 227,000 people.
“I earnestly implore the pertinent federal relief agencies to expedite their efforts in mitigating the effects of this calamity. My heart goes out to the people and government of Borno State government as they grapple with the profound economic repercussions of this disaster.
“I also call upon the public to adhere closely to the government’s guidelines, especially as it relates to evacuating fom areas vulnerable to flooding to minimize further harm to lives and property during this challenging time.”
