Residents of Maiduguri in Borno State are in a state of panic as floodwaters have affected many homes, following the alleged breakdown of the Alau Dam, which has been filled to capacity for the past week.Â
In a statement issued in the early hours of Tuesday, Prof. Usman Tar, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, warned of an imminent flooding disaster and called for immediate evacuation.
“We urge all residents living along the river bank to take immediate action to protect themselves and their properties,” Tar said.
“Due to the unusually high volume of water this year, we cannot afford to wait. The Alau Dam water has broken down another channel, which is currently destroying farms and heading towards the river bank.”
Tar emphasized the need for residents to follow evacuation routes to ensure safe passage. “We want to avoid any loss of life or property, so we must act quickly,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is not the first time the dam has caused flooding in the area.
In 1994, a similar incident resulted in unprecedented flooding in Maiduguri, with almost half of the town underwater.
Residents are advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
