In the early hours of yesterday, a massive flood struck Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, displacing over 200,000 residents and leaving numerous people, including children, missing. The flood followed the collapse of the Alau Dam, which overflowed into the city, submerging houses, businesses, and vital infrastructure, including the Palace of the Shehu of Borno and the popular Monday Market.
Authorities confirmed that many residents were trapped, while corpses from the washed-out Gwange Cemetery floated through the streets, raising concerns of waterborne diseases. The Borno State Government has reopened IDP camps to accommodate victims, while aid agencies work to provide emergency relief.
Wildlife from the local zoo was also affected, with 80% of the animals reported dead, and dangerous species, including crocodiles, washed into communities. Meanwhile, sources confirmed that the flood had devastated a Boko Haram enclave in Sambisa Forest, killing numerous insurgents and their families.
