At least eight buildings have collapsed, a public graveyard has been submerged, and numerous residents have been displaced following a torrential three-hour rainfall that pounded Maiduguri and its environs on Wednesday.
The downpour caused severe flooding across several communities, including Bulumkutu, Damboa, and Moduganari. In the Jajeri area of Jere Local Government Area, a public cemetery was overtaken by floodwaters, prompting widespread concern among residents.
A local resident from Jajeri, who appeared in a video circulating online but did not disclose his name, appealed to the Borno State Government for urgent intervention.
“We are calling on the state government to come to our aid and act fast. Many of the graves in the graveyard are collapsing after the rainfall. This is beyond our control,” he said.
Swift Police Response
In response to the flood, the Borno State Police Command swiftly conducted on-the-ground assessments and deployed patrol teams across the affected areas.
In a statement issued to journalists, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, confirmed that the rainfall had caused significant flooding in parts of Maiduguri, including Gomari, Jidari, Ibrahim Taiwo Estate (ITE), and surrounding neighbourhoods.
“Unfortunately, eight buildings collapsed, but no casualties have been recorded,” Daso stated.
He added that security personnel were stationed at strategic locations to safeguard evacuated properties and prevent looting or other criminal activity.
The operations were led by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DC Garba Audu Bosso, alongside ACP Jawi Muhammed and several Divisional Police Officers across the metropolis.
Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, commended the rapid response by officers and urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding. He also warned parents and guardians to keep children away from floodwaters due to serious safety risks.
Recurring Disaster and Infrastructure Concerns
This latest incident comes nearly 10 months after the devastating flood of 10 September 2024, which destroyed homes, public infrastructure, and displaced over one million residents in Maiduguri and surrounding communities.
The Alau Dam, whose collapsed dykes were blamed for that catastrophe, is still undergoing rehabilitation. Many citizens have urged the Federal Government to expedite its reconstruction, warning that continued delays pose a serious threat to the region’s safety and stability.
