Borno Flood Victims To Zulum: Protect N5bn Donation From Being Diverted

Days after a devastating flood swept through Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, residents are still struggling to recover from the immense damage to their lives and properties.

With millions in losses and numerous lives lost, victims are urging the state government to ensure that monetary donations are properly distributed to those most affected and not misappropriated.

According to a report by Ireporteronline, the flood displaced at least 414,000 people and claimed 30 lives. In the aftermath, the Borno State Police Command recovered 11 decomposed bodies, underscoring the scale of the disaster.

In response, the Federal Government provided N3 billion in relief aid, a gesture confirmed by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum. Additionally, businessman Aliko Dangote donated N1.5 billion, and the North East Development Commission supplied food and non-food items for the displaced.

Governors of Kwara, Lagos, Ondo, and Adamawa states also visited Maiduguri to express solidarity, with Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri donating N50 million and six speedboats. Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni contributed N100 million to the relief effort.

Flood victims have pleaded with the Borno State Government to distribute the donations quickly, as many remain in dire straits. In areas such as Modugari, Kofar Shehu, Monday Market, and Lagos Street, where floodwaters have receded, residents are returning to assess their damaged properties and are desperate for assistance.

Micheal Tegwolo, a landlord in Modugari, spoke about the severe damage to his property and urged the government to act swiftly. Mukhtar Ibrahim, a mobile phone charger, described how his shop and equipment were destroyed, leaving him with no choice but to start over, hoping to benefit from the relief funds.

Meanwhile, the Borno State Police Command rescued a 21-year-old pregnant woman, Dantalla, who had been stranded by the flood. She later gave birth to a baby boy at the police clinic. The police also imposed restrictions on a collapsed bridge on Lagos Street to prevent further accidents.

At the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Chief Medical Director Professor Ahmed Ahijo warned of potential disease outbreaks due to floodwaters contaminating the facility. The flood submerged the hospital’s ground floor and expensive medical equipment, forcing the suspension of patient admissions due to concerns about infections from sewage-contaminated water.