3,682 Flood Victims in Maiduguri Rescued, Reports SEMA

The Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has rescued 3,683 people who were trapped in their homes due to severe flooding in Maiduguri.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, SEMA Director-General Mr. Barkindo Mohammed provided an update on the situation. “As of 5 p.m. on Thursday, we had evacuated 3,683 individuals in a rescue operation, and efforts are still ongoing,” he said.

Mohammed explained that the rescue operation involves various methods, including the use of boats, canoes, divers, military personnel, and fire service trucks. “As the water continues to recede, we are focusing on those who have made distress calls and will continue search and rescue operations today and tomorrow,” he added.

He reported that approximately two million people have been affected by the flooding. SEMA has established 14 official camps and several informal camps to accommodate displaced persons.

The Federal Government has supported the state with N3 billion and food consignments. “President Bola Tinubu has provided N3 billion each to Borno and other affected states. Governor Babagana Zulum has forwarded this amount to SEMA and added additional funds,” Mohammed noted.

He emphasized that the response is not limited to Maiduguri but also includes Local Government Areas across the state.

NAN also reported that the collapse of the Alau Dam on the Ngadda River in Borno on Tuesday led to some of the worst flooding in the region, forcing residents to evacuate their homes.