By Abdurrahman uba wada
Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s Borno State, experienced severe flooding following the collapse of the Alau Dam. The disaster submerged homes, displaced families, and crippled vital infrastructure, creating a crisis of historic proportions.
Aisha Mohammed, a resident of the hard-hit Gwange area, described the rapid onset of the floodwaters, which left little time for her family to escape. Neighbourhoods like Fori, Galtimari, and Bulabulin were severely affected.
State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, issued an urgent evacuation order, stressing the importance of moving to higher ground immediately. This event echoed the 1994 Alau Dam failure that submerged half the city. Prof. Ibra Baba Goni, a hydrologist at the University of Maiduguri, emphasised the dam’s critical role in flood control, water supply, and irrigation.
Local authorities and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) worked tirelessly to respond, but the scale of the disaster was overwhelming. Flooding disrupted water supply, paralysed transportation, and forced school and business closures. Climate change played a significant role.
Prof. Peter Akpodiogaga-a Ovuyovwiroye Odjugo from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) noted a 20% increase in extreme rainfall events over the past decade. Maiduguri’s situation was particularly dire due to strained infrastructure from years of conflict.
Relief efforts continued, with experts considering long-term solutions like upgrading the dam, improving drainage, and relocating vulnerable communities. Community spirit remained strong, with local youth groups assisting evacuations and neighbouring states pledging support. The Borno State Emergency Management Agency established relief centres, accepting food, water, and medical supply donations.
The Alau Dam collapse highlighted Maiduguri’s vulnerability to natural disasters. As waters receded, the city faced rebuilding and reimagining a resilient future.