In the wake of last Tuesday’s devastating flood that struck Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, residents affected by the disaster are raising alarms about the overwhelming loss they have suffered. Many have been left homeless, mourning the destruction of their homes, the loss of lives, and the devastation of property valued in the billions of naira—all caught off guard by the flood’s sudden onset.
The disaster submerged three major markets in Maiduguri: the well-known Maiduguri Monday Market, Budum Market, and Gamboru Market, which are vital for food supplies and livestock trade. The impact on local commerce has been severe, with countless vendors facing ruin.
Additionally, several important structures in the region were severely affected. Key facilities, including the State Secretariat, State Specialist Hospital, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, federal Fire Service Station, Borno Radio and Television, and the state’s amusement park and zoo, were inundated. Tragically, 80 per cent of the zoo’s animals were washed away in the flood.
The plight of the victims underscores the urgent need for assistance and shelter as they struggle to rebuild their lives after this catastrophic event.
The Gwange graveyard was severely impacted by the recent flood, leading to the unsettling sight of floating corpses as floodwaters washed away the buried remains. This situation has raised concerns about the potential outbreak of contagious diseases, including cholera and diarrhea, due to compromised soakaways.
The Gamboru drug market, home to numerous pharmacies and drug stores, also suffered significant damage, resulting in billions of naira worth of pharmaceuticals being destroyed. This disaster is likely to exacerbate the existing healthcare challenges stemming from over 14 years of Boko Haram insurgency, leading to a potential drug shortage.
In the Ahmadu Bello Way area, which hosts many businesses, and the Bank of the North area known for automobile spare parts, the flood caused extensive damage to inventory. As a result, a scarcity of motor and spare parts looms on the horizon as most goods in those locations were ruined.
Additionally, many schools in the city have been turned into shelters for approximately one million citizens displaced by the flood. This has disrupted academic activities, particularly as schools were preparing to resume when the catastrophe struck.
Tragically, recovery efforts are underway as the floodwaters recede, with bodies of victims being retrieved. Many lives have been lost, and residents trapped by the flood are being rescued through collaborative efforts involving the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Borno State government, the Nigerian military, various security agencies, and numerous civil society organizations.
Due to the economic hardship and an influx of unaffected residents, the state government has decided to close some IDP camps, particularly those situated within school premises, to differentiate genuine flood victims from others seeking relief materials. This action, however, has left many genuine victims, like those at Bakassi and Gubio camps, stranded as their homes were destroyed by the flood.
Residents such as Habiba Idiis, a mother of eight, have appealed to Governor Babagana Zulum for a one-week extension of the camp’s closure or relocation to another camp, citing the urgent need for shelter and food for her children after losing her husband six months ago. Similarly, Hauwa Paul, a mother of seven, expressed the dire situation in the camp, highlighting the lack of food and shelter following the flood that washed away her home.
Both women emphasised the critical need for government assistance and rehabilitation of their homes before being asked to return, as they are unable to provide for their children amidst the ongoing challenges.
Flood Disaster Response In Shehuri: Health Concerns And Government Warnings:
For Amina Hassan, a resident of the Shehuri area, the flood disaster struck unexpectedly, as there was no prior rainfall before the incident that left her and her six children stranded.
Although their home remained standing, the muddy conditions necessitate caution, as they plan to wait until the area is thoroughly cleaned and fumigated before returning. Amina has called on the government to urgently conduct fumigation and cleanup efforts in the flood-affected areas to prevent the outbreak of contagious diseases.
Concerns Over Contaminated Food And Livestock :
Following the flood, many businesses, including the popular Gamboru livestock markets, were submerged, leading to reports that butchers are selling the meat from dead animals while dried foodstuffs are being offered to residents. This practice poses a serious health risk to the community, prompting some residents to abstain from consuming meat sold by butchers in Maiduguri. Instead, they are relying on dried fish and food supplies that were undamaged by the flood.
In response, the Borno State government has issued warnings to butchers against selling dead animals and advised residents to avoid purchasing food items that were submerged and later dried for sale.
A statement from the state’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, emphasised the importance of public health and safety.
He urged residents to: refrain from buying, selling, or consuming contaminated grains or food items salvaged from the flood, as any food mixed with floodwater poses serious health risks, avoid butchering, distributing, or consuming dead animals, which are hazardous to health, not engage in pilfering, vandalising, or tampering with public or private property and to void consuming, swimming in, or bathing in dirty or stagnant water, as even boiled dirty water can contain harmful chemicals and pathogens.
The government stressed the need for the community to prioritize personal health, hygiene, and public safety in the wake of the disaster.
NAFDAC Evacuates Contaminated Drugs After Borno Flooding
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has initiated the removal of contaminated drugs from markets in Borno, following significant flooding that affected the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere local government areas.
The flood impacted over one million residents, submerging numerous pharmacies and drug stores.
In response, NAFDAC’s director-general, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, ordered the urgent evacuation of substandard and contaminated medicines from the affected markets in Maiduguri.
Mr. Kenneth, NAFDAC’s North-East Zonal Director, led the evacuation efforts in the Gamboru area of Maiduguri, where many drug stores were submerged. He emphasized the agency’s focus on specific market sections and areas where regulated products are sold.
Zulum Calls For Better Coordination With UN Partners
Governor Babagana Zulum convened an emergency meeting with United Nations humanitarian workers and other development partners to enhance collaboration in addressing the severe flooding that has impacted approximately 70 per cent of Maiduguri.
He cautioned against the indiscriminate establishment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, particularly in already closed public schools, without state government approval. Many of the over 30 existing camps are currently temporary as floodwaters recede.
“Having successfully carried out the rescue mission, we must work together to avoid duplicating efforts in the affected areas,” he stated. Zulum expressed concern that many individuals entering newly opened camps are not genuine flood victims, citing an incident where he saw people carrying relief supplies towards areas unaffected by flooding.
He also requested UN support in rebuilding damaged homes, hospitals, schools, and essential infrastructure, thanking stakeholders for their assistance during this challenging time.
In response, UN OCHA Deputy National Humanitarian coordinator Esty Sutyoke ,expressed condolences to the government and people of Borno. She assured commitment to collaborate closely with Dr. Mario Mandara, the Borno State Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs and Sustainable Development, and other relevant agencies to develop effective, long-term solutions to the flooding crisis and other challenges facing Maiduguri.
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