Maiduguri flood
Borno flood: NCS says 285 inmates escaped from Maiduguri prison
At least 286 inmates were said to have escaped from the Maiduguri medium security custodial centre owing to severe flooding in the capital city on Tuesday.
At least one million persons were reckoned to have been displaced by the devastating floods in Maiduguri, caused by the coĺlapse of Alo Dam.
Indeed, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, flew to Maiduguri in order to assess the impacts of the flood on the correctional centre.
A statement from the spokesman for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar, stated that the Federal Government is working to evacuate the inmates from the facility.
The statement assured that the service is working with sister security agencies to take the necessary measures to ensure public safety.
The Federal Government, which began the evacuation of residents of the affected communities, has released N3 billion flood intervention fund to the state government in order to immediate alleviate the challenges, as disclosed by Governor Umaru Zulum while at the displaced people’s camp.
A statement by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Tuesday, however, said it is also working on the provision of food, shelter and medical assistance for the victims.
The unfortunate flooding situation in the Maiduguri metropolis of Borno State, was cause by torrential rains and the collapse of Alo Dam.
Indeed, the spillways of collspsed Alo Dam led to a significant increase in water flow downstream and flooding in surrounding areas.
The areas impacted by the incident include Shehuri, parts of the Government Residential Area (G.R.A.), Gambomi, Budum, Bulabulin, Adamkolo, Millionaires Quarters, Monday Market and Gwange.
Consequently, the Borno State Government has opened up Bakassi Camp to accommodate those displaced by the flood.
According to NEMA, “We are working, alongside the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, in providing humanitarian assistance to the distressed in the camp.”
NEMA’s response came after President Tinubu ordered the Agency to immediately swing into action, and assist the flood victims.
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