Former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has paid a visit to Borno State to show solidarity with victims of the recent catastrophic flooding in the region.
Atiku announced his arrival in Maiduguri, the state capital, on Sunday through a post on his official X account.
He shared photos of the visit and wrote, “A short while ago, I arrived in Maiduguri for a sympathy visit to the people of Borno State over the recent catastrophic flooding.”
The flooding, which is considered the worst in 30 years, occurred after the Alau Dam overflowed due to heavy rainfall, according to reports from the National Emergency Management Agency
The United Nations Human Rights Refugee Council also noted that the disaster has severely impacted the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council area
NEMA disclosed that more than 23,000 households were affected by the rising waters after the dam on the Ngadda River, located 20 kilometers south of Maiduguri, ruptured over the weekend.
By Wednesday, 70% of Maiduguri was submerged, with significant damage to key locations, including the Shehu of Borno’s palace, the state secretariat, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
In addition to causing widespread destruction to homes, schools, and commercial centers, the flood wiped out 80% of the animals at the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed concern over the situation, urging government agencies to accelerate relief efforts. “Immediate evacuation of residents in flood-affected communities should be a top priority,” Tinubu stated.
Vice President Kashim Shettima also visited Maiduguri on Tuesday to personally assess the damage caused by the disaster.
