*Flood Displaces Thousands In Maiduguri, Decimate Zoo, Washes Crocodiles, Snakes Into Community

*Govt Closes Schools For Two Weeks

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, September 10, ordered the immediate evacuation of residents of areas affected by flood which has displaced thousands of them and affected facilities, including the Post Office and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), the Borno State capital.

     Tinubu also extended condolences to the government and people of the state, especially to the families that have lost their means of livelihood due to the disaster triggered by the overflow of the Alau Dam, even as relevant authorities continue to assess the damage caused by the flood, assuring Governor Babagana Zulum of Federal Government’s readiness to collaborate to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected people.  

     The President, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, assured of his commitment to mobilise federal resources to support the state during this difficult time.  

     Residents of Maiduguri remain on high alert, with the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, urging all the residents living along the river bank to take immediate action to protect themselves and their properties, by following evacuation routes to ensure safe passage.

The popular Maiduguri Zoo has been submerged, with over 80 per cent of animals there, including lions, crocodiles, buffaloes, ostriches and snakes wash off into the neighbourhood.

     “Some deadly animals have been washed away into our communities, like crocodiles and snakes,” Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo said in a statement, urging residents to take precautions.

     Meanwhile, the Borno State Government has announced the closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state for two weeks due to the flood that had displaced many residents.

A statement on Monday, September 9, by the Acting Director of Schools Services, Grema Bulama, said: “Due to the ongoing flooding across the state and its adverse effects, the Borno State Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation has directed a statewide closure of all schools, both public and private, until Monday, September 23.

“We urge all concerned parties to comply strictly with this directive. We regret any inconvenience this notice may have caused and we appreciate your understanding.”

The schools were initially scheduled to resume on Monday, September 9, but some of the schools were occupied by people displaced by the flood.

There was a mild drama in Gwange Ward of Maiduguri when those displaced by the flood resisted attempts by government officials to make them vacate a school where they have been taking refuge since last week.

The state government has constituted a flood emergency response committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Bukar Tijjani.

Floods killed at least 49 people last month in the Northeast, while a 2022 flood killed over 600.