By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
A heavy downpour in the early hours of Wednesday caused severe flooding, leading to the collapse of eight buildings and displacing hundreds of residents in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The rainfall, which began around 6:15 am and lasted for three hours, submerged homes and forced families to flee in neighborhoods such as Bulumkutu, Abuja-Sheraton, Moduganari, Ngomari, and other riverbank communities.
Ahmodu Ibrahim, a resident of Bulumkutu, said floodwater invaded his home around 8 am, forcing him to evacuate with his family.
“I started seeing water coming in after an hour of the rain. I immediately took my children and wife to a safe area,” he said.
Aisha Suraju, a shop owner, lamented the destruction of her goods. “My provisions, especially the ones on the floor, were all destroyed by the flood.”
Meanwhile, the Borno State Police Command swiftly mobilized rescue teams to affected areas. According to ASP Nahum Daso, the command’s spokesperson said, eight buildings collapsed, but no casualties were recorded.
“The patrol teams were deployed to assess damage and prevent looting in evacuated homes.”
The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmaji, praised officers for their quick response and urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding.
The police also cautioned parents to keep children away from floodwaters, as playing in such conditions poses serious risks.
Efforts are ongoing to assist displaced families and assess further damage.
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