Catastrophic flooding has struck Borno State, Nigeria, resulting in the collapse of at least eight buildings and widespread displacement across affected communities.
The disaster follows days of torrential rainfall, which has overwhelmed drainage systems and left major streets and residential areas submerged.
The worst-hit areas include Maiduguri, Jere, Gwange, and Bulumkutu, where residents woke up to rising floodwaters invading homes, destroying property, and sweeping away household belongings. Several structures, primarily older residential buildings and informal housing units, crumbled under the pressure of the water, leaving many families homeless.
Hundreds of residents have been displaced, seeking refuge in temporary shelters, schools, and places of worship. Emergency response teams from the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (BOSEMA) have been deployed, but efforts have been significantly hampered by blocked roads, submerged vehicles, and ongoing rainfall.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as families fled their homes in the early hours. “We were asleep when the water started coming in. Within minutes, our walls began to shake. We just ran out with our children,” said Fatima Garba, a mother of four from the Jere district.
Local traders also reported severe losses, with many shops in low-lying markets damaged or destroyed, and stock washed away.
Authorities are yet to report any fatalities, but unconfirmed reports suggest possible injuries and missing persons, with rescue operations ongoing. BOSEMA officials have called for calm, promising continued support and the distribution of relief materials.
Residents and civic groups have called on the state government to take urgent action to revamp drainage systems and enforce building regulations, blaming much of the destruction on poor urban planning and blocked waterways.
Health experts are warning of a potential outbreak of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid, given the contamination of local water sources and the crowding in temporary camps.
In a public advisory, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) forecast continued rainfall across northeastern Nigeria over the coming days and urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain alert and evacuate when necessary.
The state government has pledged to intensify relief efforts and assess long-term infrastructure solutions to mitigate future flooding disasters.
