Gov Zulum says one million people affected by flood
• SEMA rescues 719 victims on trees, rooftops
• Food shortage hits Maiduguri as Akpabio mourns flood victims
• ‘80% animals in Zoo killed, others escaped’
• Veterinarians urged to rescue wildlife from residential areas
No fewer than 286 inmates have reportedly escaped from the Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre following severe flooding in the Borno State capital on Tuesday.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, said one million people were affected by the tragedy. With rescue operations in top gear, Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has rescued at least 179 victims from trees and rooftops.
Amid growing concern over the shortage of foodstuff and other commodities in Maiduguri as thousands of residents struggle for survival after a ravaging flood, senate President Godswill Akpabio sympathised with the victims of the devastating floods that ravaged parts of Borno and Bauchi states.
Maiduguri Zoo, popularly known as Sanda Kyarimi Zoo Park, lost about 80 per cent of is menagerie in the flood and others escaped. Consequently, the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has called on veterinarians to assist in rescuing the animals from residential areas.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was in Maiduguri, yesterday, to assess the flood’s impact on the facility. A statement from the spokesman for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Umar Abubakar, disclosed that the Federal Government was working to evacuate the correctional centre.
Umar assured the public that the service was working with sister security agencies to take the necessary measures to ensure public safety.
ZULUM disclosed this to newsmen while distributing cash and cooked food to displaced persons taking refuge in Bukassi camp, Maiduguri. He said a Health Emergency Committee had been constituted to prevent flood-related epidemics in Maiduguri and Jere.
“You can see how flooded the area is; that means waterborne diseases would be transmitted. But Insha Allah, we should get over it.“The population affected is up to one million, what we are doing this morning is to provide immediate succour, which is good, and non-food items,” he said.
The governor said he received N3 billion flood intervention fund from the Federal Government, which would be put to use in addressing the challenges faced by the victims.
He assured that the Alau Dam would be reconstructed and retrofitted to contain its volume, while illegal structures on waterways and flood-prone locations would be demolished.
Thousands of families trapped in Maiduguri flooded areas are being evacuated to safer areas by the military, volunteers and other security agencies. Visiting the most affected areas in Maiduguri, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, toured the Customs area where the broken prison is located.
While on the tour, dead bodies and trapped persons were being evacuated by the military, security agencies and civilian volunteers. In the minister’s entourage were the Controller-General of Immigration, Correctional Service and the Secretary of Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board.
THE Director-General of Borno SEMA, Mohammed Barkindo, noted that the victims were treated and put under observation before being moved to safer locations.
“SEMA went with divers and rescued 719 people trapped on trees, upstairs and running water, and took them to their chosen locations. The rescue operations started yesterday (Tuesday) and continued till press time.” He said the divers improvised rescue facilities like ropes, tubes and other materials to carry out the operation.
The flood submerged major markets, including grain, fruit and vegetable depots in the town, while many shopping complexes remain closed. The development led to a shortage of food items making the prices of the few available ones high.
“It is difficult to find foodstuff now as all major markets are submerged. I can’t operate my restaurant despite pressure from customers, because the foodstuff I stocked has been exhausted,” Hajara Mohammed said.
IN a statement by his Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate president sympathised with the victims and governments of both states, saying, “Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones, properties and livelihoods.”He extended his condolences to the Vice President and other leaders whose areas were affected by the flood disasters.
ACCORDING to the General Manager of the zoo, Ali Abatcha, while 80 per cent of the animals in the zoo were killed by the flood, while others escaped into the city.He, however, did not state the exact number of animals kept in the zoo before the flood.
A report released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said the flood in the zoo led to some wild animals, including crocodiles and snakes, escaping their enclosures.
Flood is reportedly covering over 40 per cent of Maiduguri town, which has an estimated population of over 870,000, including the Muna and Jere IDP camps, with a combined population of approximately 230,000.
President of NVMA, Dr Moses Arokoyo, in a statement sympathised with the victims and stressed that thousands of residents, including the local wildlife and zoo animals impacted by the floods needed urgent attention.
Considering the emergency, he urged veterinarians in Borno to be on the ground, in collaboration with local caretakers, to provide all necessary assistance and expertise to ensure safe keeping of animals and the human populace, saying “we hope to ensure that animals are immediately rescued from residential areas, provided emergency medical attention and a temporary shelter.”
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