Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says the flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, is a “dire national emergency.”
News About Nigeria reports that this is contained in a statement published on his X page on Tuesday.
Recall that major roads, homes, and shops in Maiduguri and many local government areas were submerged by floodwaters on Tuesday.
Thousands of residents living along waterways and flood-prone areas have been displaced as a result of the flooding.
Many popular public infrastructures, including the Shehu of Borno’s Palace, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo, were affected.
Reacting to the incident, 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.”
Atiku sympathised with the people and government of the Borno State government “as they grapple with the profound economic repercussions of this disaster.”
He called upon the public to adhere strictly with the government’s guidelines, especially as it relates to evacuating from areas vulnerable to flooding to minimise further harm to lives and property during this challenging time.
