Borno Govt Shuts Down Schools as Flood Ravages Maiduguri

The Borno State Governor ordered the immediate closure of all schools in the state to avoid loss of lives due to the current flooding in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Engr Lawal Wakilbe, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Innovations, in a statement, ordered that all primary and secondary schools be closed after consultations with stakeholders.

A large number of communities in almost all the local government areas have been seriously affected by the flooding, especially in Maiduguri, Jere and other LGAs at risk of heavy flooding in next 24 to 48 hours.

A devastating flood has forced hundreds of people out of their homes in parts of Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Areas of Borno State.

The incident, which began a few days ago, reached its peak in the early hours of Tuesday, displacing residents of Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, Bulabulin, and other parts of the state capital on Tuesday morning.

According to a victim, the flood overflowed the Fori bridge, which connects Fori and Galtimari to Tashan Bama, and swept through homes with incredible force.

“This is sad. We were alerted to pack our belongings at 12:30 am, but before we could gather our clothes and school credentials, the water was already waist-deep in our house”, said a resident of Gwange.

Ahmed Shehu, Chairman of CSO Lake Chad Basin, lamented that larger part of Maiduguri were awake last night due to the impending flood in the metropolis, while describing the situation as so dare.

He urged the citizens to avoid some areas which have been red flagged, including Gwange, Bulabulin, Zoo Area, Post office, Lagos Street and Moduganari bypass.

“The situation is so dare, so far Milionaires quarters around Gamboru ward and its environs is consumed, the popular Lagos bridge is already filled to the brim, The Moduganari bypass bridge is also filled, and the bridge is already flooded. The zoo road is being flooded with water and it’s gushing to college of health technology, Maiduguri, where students were already relocated to school of nursing while the water is already going towards the commissioner of police junction via Damboa Road.

He lamented that Shehu Sanda Kyarimi park the popular Maiduguri Zoo is also submerged at the wee hours of the night forcing staff to relocate to safety, the fate of the animals yet to be determined as of this moment.

“It’s very sad. At the mention of zoo my mind went to the crocodiles which can come out with the flood as their place in somewhat below and open. The situation is beyond imagination and calls for activation of emergency response mechanisms by all stakeholders. This is a moment for prayers and support to Maiduguri residents”, Ahmed said.

Report gathered that the situation is so dare that it is worse than the previous one of 1994, exactly 30 years ago, which was described as “September of unforgotten disaster flood”.