Eight buildings collapse as flood takes over Borno streets

Heavy rainfall in the early hours of Wednesday has collapsed eight buildings and displaced some residents in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

Our correspondent gathered that the rain, which started around 6:15 am, lasted three hours, leading to the displacement of families in Bulumkutu, Abuja, Moduganari, Ngomari and other riverbank areas.

A resident of Bulumkutu, Ahmodu Ibrahim, told our correspondent that water flooded his apartment around 8 am before he ran out with his family.

“I started seeing water coming in after an hour of the rain. I immediately took my children and wife to a safe area,” he said

A shop owner, Aisha Suraju, said her items were all damaged by the flood.

My provisions, especially the ones on the floor, were all destroyed by the flood,” she said.

Meanwhile, the state police command said it has swung into action and mobilised its men for rescue operations across areas where buildings collapsed.

A statement by the spokesperson for the command, ASP Nahum Daso, said eight buildings collapsed due to the flooding.

The statement read, “In the wake of the heavy rainfall that affected parts of Maiduguri, Gomari, Bulumkutu, Jidari, ITE and others, the Borno State Police Command has swiftly carried out on-the-scene assessments and deployed patrol teams across the impacted areas.

“Unfortunately, eight buildings collapsed, but no casualties were recorded.

“To forestall any breakdown of law and order, the command has stationed officers at strategic locations to protect evacuated homes and properties from potential looting or criminal activities.”

The police spokesman said the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmaji, commended the swift response of the officers involved and called on residents to remain calm and law-abiding.

“He also urged parents and guardians to monitor their children closely and prevent them from playing in floodwaters, as such behavior poses serious risks to their safety,” he said.