News in Brief:
– The flood in Maiduguri, caused by the collapse of the Alau Dam, has threatened the safety of both humans and animals.
– The city’s zoo, home to a variety of wildlife, is at risk of being breached as water levels continue to rise.
Fear and uncertainty have gripped residents of Maiduguri as torrential rains have caused widespread flooding, threatening the safety of both humans and animals. The rising water levels have reached alarming heights, prompting concerns about a potential breach in the city’s zoo enclosure.
The Maiduguri Zoo, also known as the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo, is a 42-acre zoological garden and one of the oldest in Nigeria. It is home to wild animals like lions, ostriches, crocodiles, pythons, elephants, white hyenas, and many others. The zoo is now under threat from the rising waters.
The flooding, caused by the collapse of the state’s Alau Dam, has overwhelmed major parts of the city, leaving numerous structures submerged.
According to the director general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, one of the spillways of the dam collapsed, leading to a significant increase in water flow downstream and exacerbating the flooding in surrounding areas.
The state’s commissioner for information, Usman Tar, stated that the flooding is currently destroying farms. He also observed that the water is heading towards the river bank and has forced many residents to flee their homes for higher ground.
Government response and relief efforts
Meantime, the state government has postponed the resumption of schools for two weeks.
Reacting to the incident, Nigeria’s minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, commiserated with the government and people of Borno state over the ‘unfortunate’ incident.
In a message on X, the minister noted that the floodwaters have damaged properties, affected lives, inundated sacred sites, and impacted critical infrastructure like the Maiduguri University Teaching Hospital.
Also, he mentioned that traders, who form the backbone of the local economy, have also suffered significant losses as markets and businesses were hit by the flood.
However, Senator Kyari assured residents of the government’s prompt attention in addressing the situation and providing relief to those affected.
President Bola Tinubu also instructed the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, to visit the state to assess the damage. He conveyed the administration’s message of support to the government and people of Borno State, including a promise to distribute food palliatives.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will tackle the challenges of flood in Nigeria. 🇳🇬
The VP, who gave the assurance in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Tuesday, noted that though the factors leading to the… pic.twitter.com/cKtYNeio2b
— Stanley Nkwocha (@stanleynkwocha_) September 10, 2024
The flood has caused significant damage to infrastructure and property across Maiduguri. Roads have been rendered impassable, and many homes have been overwhelmed. Emergency services are working to provide relief to those affected.
As the situation evolves, residents are urged to stay informed and follow the guidance of local authorities.
