Maiduguri Flood Disaster: Vice President Shettima Leads High-Powered Delegation for On-the-Spot Assessment

By Ibrahim Abubakar Yola

Vice President Kashim Shettima led a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Maiduguri to assess the devastating flood disaster caused by the collapse of a dam in the metropolis. The visit, aimed at offering support and commiserating with the government and people of Borno State, comes as part of a broader federal response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

During the visit, Vice President Shettima addressed displaced persons currently sheltering at the Bakassi camp, provided by the state government. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that every victim and community affected by the floods receives adequate support, and pledged that recovery efforts would reach all corners impacted by the disaster.

The delegation also paid a visit to the palace of the Shehu of Borno, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba Al Amin El-Kanemi, to discuss further measures of support and cooperation.

In parallel, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has ramped up its response, deploying additional search and rescue teams to assist residents still trapped in their homes. NEMA has also warned of the potential risk of waterborne diseases stemming from the contamination of household water sources, and is providing clean water to shelters like the Bakassi camp to mitigate this risk.

“Our officials, along with personnel from sister agencies, are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and welfare of all affected individuals,” NEMA officials stated. “We commend the people of Borno State for their voluntary efforts in providing humanitarian assistance alongside our teams.”

This coordinated federal response highlights the gravity of the situation in Maiduguri, as the government continues to prioritize the safety, recovery, and wellbeing of all affected by the disaster.

Heavy floods in Yemen due to heavy rains led to the collapse of three dams in the north-western province of al-Mahwit, killing several people and leaving at least 30 missing.

The residents in the areas told reporters on Wednesday.

They could not confirm the casualty toll.

Many families remained under the rubble in the Malhan district.

Cars were swept away and roads have been cut off, they added.

The collapsing dams caused mountain rockslides, affecting people and houses in the province, located near the capital Sana’a.

The province is controlled by the Houthi rebels, who took control of large parts of Yemen in 2014.

The Houthi-affiliated al-Masirah TV reported that several ambulances from neighbouring areas in al-Mahwit as well as Hodeida province were sent to assist.

Heavy rains and floods have been hitting Yemen for weeks, causing destruction and displacement in several provinces, and exacerbating an already dire situation in the war-torn country.

The Yemen Red Crescent Society said that more than 340,000 people have been directly affected by the heavy rains and flooding nationwide.

Two weeks ago, the UN said that at least 60 people were killed in several provinces.

Yemen has been embroiled in a disastrous power struggle since 2014 between government forces, supported by a Saudi Arabia-led coalition, and the Iran-linked Houthi rebels.

The war has taken a heavy toll on the infrastructure in the already impoverished country and the UN considers Yemen one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world.

Floods hit the country almost annually, leaving many dead or displaced.

Although conflict declined over the past two years, no sustainable political settlement has been reached.

Pandemonium engulfed Ekololu, a community in Surulere, Lagos State on Monday night when the back tyres of a tanker transporting fuel to a Conoil filling station explode into flames near the station.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondent who resides in the area reports that the explosion of the tyres and the billows of smoke made residents living near the filling station to run for their safety.

Observations by NAN revealed that staff from the filling station hurried out with fire extinguishers to combat the fire, which erupted around 9:00 p.m., just a few meters from the filling station’s entrance.
Emergency responders, including Federal and State Fire Services, as well as the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), swiftly arrived at the scene following distress calls from the community.

Upon their arrival, the emergency teams assessed the unregistered truck carrying the petrol and raised concerns about safety measures while questioning the driver and filling station management.
They provided guidance and oversaw the safe discharge of the fuel using a long hose to transfer the petroleum product from the stranded tanker into the filling station’s reservoirs.

The Station Manager of the Conoil filling station, Mr Kunle Oniya, informed the emergency responders that the station possessed 20 fire extinguishers, which were promptly utilised to contain the fire and prevent its spread.

The incident led to a traffic jam. Vehicles were unable to move in the area for nearly an hour.
Some residents shared their experiences of the incident with NAN.

A resident, Malam Shehu, recounted abandoning his dinner upon witnessing the fire explosion.
He expressed gratitude that the fire was contained before causing further damage.

Another resident, simply known as Iya Abigail, explained that she was playing games when she suddenly heard people shouting prompting her to run in confusion wearing her night wears.
She prayed for continued safety in the community.

An elderly resident, who preferred anonymity, urged filling stations in the area to prioritise safety and the welfare of residents.

She noted that filling stations typically had insurance against fire and other disasters and suggested extending such coverage to vulnerable buildings in their host communities.

Recalling the chaotic events, she said that she heard the sound of an emergency whistle to alert the neighbourhood before hastily evacuating her home.

“I was watching TV and when the incidence occurred, I had to blow the emergency whistle to alert the neighbourhood but I quickly dressed up before running out of the house,” she said.

(NAN)