The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, says the total number of lives lost in the flood disaster in Maiduguri is unknown, as efforts to ensure areas not yet accessible are reached as soon as possible.
Governor Zulum also reassured the affected victims that the government will come to their aide.
The Governor, who spoke with Channels Television earlier on Saturday, said neglect of the dam over the years has been a major challenge and that efforts will be made to remedy the situation.
“We have to quantify the loss of lives that has happened as a result of this flooding because up till now we have some areas that we can’t have access, but rescue mission is ongoing.
“Quite a number of persons were rescued, so this is the situation that we are in. We had similar disaster 30 years ago although the extent is not up to this one, but I believe the dam requires reconstruction,” Zulum said.
Officials had on Wednesday said the severe flooding in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri claimed at least 30 lives and forced 400,000 people from their homes.
“The death toll is 30,” National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spokesman Ezekiel Manzo told AFP a day after water from an overflowing dam swept away thousands of homes in the capital city of Borno state.
“The situation in Maiduguri is quite frightening,” said Manzo’s NEMA colleague Zubaida Umar.
“The flood has taken over around 40 percent of the entire city. People have been forced out of their homes and are scattered everywhere.
“From our statistics, we have 414,000 displaced people,” Umar said. He told the BBC’s Hausa language service that officials feared that number could reach one million.
The UN refugee agency in Nigeria said on X Tuesday the flooding was the worst to hit the city in 30 years.
