President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Maiduguri to condole with the government and people of the state over the Alau Dam flood disaster.
Tinubu, who was received on arrival by Governor Babagana Zulum, is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar-Garbai El-Kaneni, from where he is expected to proceed to one of the camps to address Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
President Tinubu assured the displaced persons at the camp that his government would provide support.
“I want to assure you that we will support you. We will help you. God bless you,” Tinubu said.
Accompanying the President were the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari; and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mele Kyari.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was at the Maiduguri Air Force Base to receive the President, having arrived earlier in the day to inspect police facilities affected by the flood.
Also present to welcome the President were the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed; the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo; and the Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu.
President Tinubu had earlier expressed deep concerns over the flooding and tasked relevant government agencies to expedite rescue efforts.
He also called for the immediate evacuation of residents in communities overtaken by floods.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that the flood began after the Alau Dam overflowed following heavy rains, leading to the worst flooding the town has experienced in 30 years, according to the United Nations Human Rights Refugee Council and residents of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.
NEMA stated that more than 23,000 households were affected by the rapid rise of water following the weekend rupture of the Alau Dam on the Ngadda River, located 20 km south of Maiduguri.
Reports indicate that the water had receded after submerging 70 per cent of Maiduguri, according to NEMA.
The flood devastated major city landmarks, including the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Umar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi, the state secretariat, the post office, the cemetery, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The flood also swept away 80 per cent of the animals at the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo and caused damage to houses, schools, as well as commercial and worship centres.
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