Heavy rainfall wreaks havoc in Maiduguri, collapses buildings

A devastating downpour hit Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, early Wednesday morning, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

The torrential rain, which began around 6:15 a.m. and lasted for nearly three hours, caused severe flooding that led to the collapse of eight buildings and the displacement of numerous families.

Several communities bore the brunt of the disaster, including Bulumkutu, Abuja, Moduganari, Ngomari, and other low-lying settlements near riverbanks. Residents in these areas were forced to flee their homes as floodwaters rose rapidly, inundating houses and destroying property.

In a statement, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed that eight buildings collapsed due to the flooding.

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

“Unfortunately, eight buildings collapsed, but no casualties were recorded.

“To forestall any breakdown of law and order, the command has stationed officers at strategic locations to protect evacuated homes and properties from potential looting or criminal activities,” the statement read.

The command also urged parents and guardians to monitor their children closely and prevent them from playing in floodwaters, as such behavior poses serious risks to their safety.