Military takes over Borno to rescue flood victims

• The Alau Dam reportedly burst on Tuesday after being at maximum capacity for weeks.
• The affected communities are Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin with the resulting deluge.

The Nigerian military has launched a rescue mission to evacuate flood-affected residents in Maiduguri, Borno state, taking the lead in search and rescue operations.

Recall that a number of residents were forced to flee their homes due to the severe flooding that inundated the state on Tuesday.

The Alau Dam burst its banks on Tuesday after weeks of being at full capacity, unleashing a torrent of water into nearby communities.

Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin were among the areas worst hit by the resulting deluge.

On the same day, President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate relocation of those affected by the catastrophic floods.

Ali Don Best, general manager of the Borno State Museum Park, warned that the flood disaster had released dangerous animals into the communities.

He noted that the recent flood disaster had caused widespread disruption, property damage, and a staggering loss of animal life, exceeding 80%.

On Wednesday, Zagazola Makama, a publication focused on counter-insurgency in the Lake Chad region, announced the deployment of soldiers to the affected areas.

“A devastating flood ravaged the city of Maiduguri, Borno State, following the collapse of the Alou Dam in Konduga Local Government Area, has prompted military response to rescue trapped civilians,” the publication said.

“The unprecedented rainfall caused water levels to rise, resulting in the dam’s failure and subsequent flooding of the entire Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.

“In response to the crisis, the military has activated its contingency plan to aid civil authorities. Soldiers have been deployed to lead search and rescue efforts, focusing on areas where victims are trapped.

“A particular area of concern is the Customs area, where people are stranded on a flyover bridge.

“Despite the challenging conditions, the military has bravely waded into the floods to rescue those in need. Their efforts have been instrumental in saving lives and providing hope to affected communities.”