Maiduguri, Nigeria – In the wake of severe flooding caused by the collapse of Alau Dam, dangerous animals, including crocodiles and snakes, have reportedly invaded several areas of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. Affected locations include neighborhoods around the Post Office and Monday Market, which are situated near Shehu Kyarimi Park (Zoo). The situation has raised significant alarm as wild animals and reptiles spread into residential areas.
Floodwaters submerged vast parts of the city, impacting the University of Maiduguri and its Teaching Hospital, Gwange, Moromoro, State Low-Cost Housing, 500 Abbagana Housing Estate, the popular Monday Market, Lagos Street, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Centre, and even the Borno State Government House.
The disaster has displaced thousands of residents and destroyed property worth billions of naira. As a precaution, schools were shut down on Monday after the flood worsened. The state government had earlier issued evacuation warnings to residents living along riverbanks due to an unusually high volume of water this year.
In response, many residents have fled to safer areas, such as Bulumkutu, Gomari Airport, and Tashan Baga, leaving behind their homes and possessions. With both Governor Babagana Zulum and his deputy, Umar Kadafur, out of the country, the state’s response has been limited, and victims are urgently appealing for government intervention.
ASP Kenneth Daso, the Police Public Relations Officer for Borno State, urged the public to remain vigilant, assuring that the police and other agencies are working to ensure the safety of lives and property during this crisis. However, with dangerous animals roaming freely, the fear and chaos in the affected areas continue to grow.