Approximately 1 million people have been affected by severe flooding in Maiduguri, a city in northeastern Nigeria, according to Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Zulum explained that the figure was based on an initial government assessment following the floods, which struck the city on Tuesday. The flooding is described as the worst the region has experienced in 30 years, devastating one-third of the city.
Governor Zulum reported that over 100,000 people have been displaced by the disaster, and search and rescue operations are ongoing. While distributing cash and food to displaced families at a camp, he emphasized that these were temporary relief measures to help those affected. Zulum also stated that the government plans to assemble a health team to handle potential emergencies once the floodwaters recede.
The governor attributed the flooding to a dam collapse on the outskirts of the city, combined with water overflow released from Niger and Cameroon. The flood caused extensive damage, washing away animals at a zoo, destroying homes, schools, hospitals, government offices, commercial centers, and places of worship.
