Residents in Maiduguri, Borno State, are fleeing their homes as severe flooding devastates the city following the collapse of the Alau Dam.
The dam, which had been at full capacity for a week, breached early Tuesday morning, resulting in extensive damage.
The floodwaters have inundated significant areas, including sections of the government house and the Emir’s palace. The disaster has also displaced wild animals from the state zoo, with snakes, crocodiles, and ostriches spilling into city streets.
Areas hardest hit include Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin, where homes have been swept away and streets have turned into rivers. Social media videos capture the extent of the devastation, showing residents scrambling to escape rising water levels.
On September 6, military personnel evacuated residents from the Alau community in Konduga Local Government Area as the dam overflowed. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) director has since visited affected villages to assess damage and aid displaced individuals.
Usman Tar, the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, issued a warning on Tuesday urging immediate evacuation for those living along riverbanks due to the unusually high water levels. He emphasized the importance of following evacuation routes to safeguard lives and property.
This incident marks the first collapse of the Alau Dam since 1994, when flooding submerged nearly half of Maiduguri. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and avoid flood-prone areas as rescue and relief operations continue.
