Tinubu in Borno to evaluate flood impacts

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the recent flood disaster.

In the North West state, the President would evaluate the impact of the flood on residential houses, hospitals, markets, schools, and other public facilities.

In a video seen by our correspondent on X, the president’s aircraft landed at the Maiduguri International Airport, and Governor Babagan Zulum and other government officials received him.

The National Emergency Management Agency said the flood began after the Alau Dam overflowed following heavy rains, which led to the town’s worst flooding in 30 years, according to the United Nations Human Rights Refugee Council and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council residents.

According to NEMA, more than 23,000 households have been hit by the rapid rise of waters following the weekend rupture of the Alau dam on the Ngadda River, 20km south of Maiduguri.

Reports also indicate the water had receded as of Wednesday after 70 per cent of Maiduguri was submerged by the fast-moving waters, according to NEMA, which ravaged major city locations, including the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Umar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi; the state secretariat, post office, cemetery, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

The flood also washed away 80 per cent of the animals at the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo and damaged houses, schools, as well as commercial and worship centres.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier expressed deep concerns over the flooding and tasked relevant government agencies to expedite rescue efforts, and called for the immediate evacuation of residents in communities overtaken by floods.

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