Heavy Rainfall Wreaks Havoc in Maiduguri, Collapses Eight Buildings and Displaces Residents

A torrential downpour in the early hours of Wednesday caused widespread flooding and destruction across Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. The heavy rain, which began around 6:15 am and lasted for approximately three hours, led to the collapse of eight buildings and displaced several families, particularly in flood-prone areas like Bulumkutu, Abuja, Moduganari, Ngomari, and other riverbank communities.

In Bulumkutu, residents scrambled for safety as floodwaters surged through homes and streets. One resident, Ahmodu Ibrahim, recounted how water began entering his apartment around 8 am. “I started seeing water coming in after an hour of the rain. I immediately took my children and wife to a safe area,” he shared.

The downpour also took a toll on local businesses. Aisha Suraju, a shop owner, lamented the destruction of her goods. “My provisions, especially the ones on the floor, were all destroyed by the flood,” she said, surveying the damage left behind by the unexpected deluge.

In response to the crisis, the Borno State Police Command swiftly mobilized personnel to assist in rescue operations and secure affected areas. According to a statement from the command’s spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, eight buildings collapsed due to the flooding, but no casualties were recorded.

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

To prevent looting or criminal activity in evacuated homes, officers have been stationed at strategic locations throughout the affected zones. The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmaji, commended the rapid response of officers and urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with authorities, and obey safety instructions.

He also issued a warning to parents and guardians to keep a close watch on their children and discourage them from playing in floodwaters, stressing the serious dangers such behavior poses.

The disaster has once again highlighted the vulnerability of flood-prone areas in Maiduguri and the urgent need for improved drainage infrastructure and proactive disaster preparedness measures.

Share to: