NEMA: 30 dead and over 400,000 homeless in floods in Maiduguri

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), more than 30 people have died and over 400,000 have been left homeless as a result of the floods in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

Thousands of residents fled their homes on Tuesday as floods devastated large parts of Fori, Galtimari, Gwange and Bulabulin areas of Maiduguri.

The flood was caused by the collapse of the Alau Dam which was at full capacity last week.

The Borno government has set up internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across the state to accommodate the victims.

The incident has evoked great sympathy among the people of the state.

Speaking to TheCable on Thursday, NEMA spokesman Manzo Ezekiel said over 400,000 people had been left homeless by the floods.

Ezekiel said there are currently over 100,000 people in various refugee camps.

The NEMA spokesperson added that the agency is working with stakeholders to support victims by returning them safely to their homes once the floodwaters recede.

“According to our records, at least 30 people were killed in the floods in Maiduguri city alone the day before yesterday,” he said.

“The number of displaced people is at least 400,000. The number of those living in the various camps is over 100,000.”

NEDC provides assistance to victims

The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has promised to work with government agencies to provide assistance to those affected by the floods.

Mohammed Goni Alkali, Managing Director of NEDC, and other members of the management team visited the affected areas on Tuesday.

Alkali promised to provide temporary assistance to the victims until the situation was fully investigated and assessed.