‘It’s heartbreaking’ — Peter Obi asks FG, states to support victims of Maiduguri flood

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, says the federal and state governments should provide aid and relief to victims of the flood disaster in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno.

On Tuesday, thousands of residents fled their homes following a flood that ravaged swathes of Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin areas of Maiduguri.

The flood occurred after the collapse of the Alau dam, which has been at full capacity for the past few weeks.

The former governor of Anambra said in a post on his X page on Wednesday that he was saddened by the loss of lives and disruption of activities by the incident.

“I am deeply saddened by the multiple loss of lives and disruption of activities in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, which has just been hit by a devastating flood disaster,” Obi wrote.

“It is heartbreaking to think about the families who have been bereaved or torn apart, the homes that have been destroyed, and the livelihoods that have been ruined.

“I can only imagine the pain and suffering that the people of Maiduguri are going through right now.

“My thoughts and prayers are with them, and I hope that they find the strength and resilience to get through this difficult time.

“In times like these, together as a nation, we must support each other. I urge the federal and state governments to do everything within their powers to provide aid and relief to those affected by this natural disaster.

“We need to work together to rebuild and restore the communities that have been damaged. May God console and protect the people of Maiduguri, and may He give them the courage and hope they need to face the days ahead. -PO”

The dam last collapsed on September 13, 1994, displacing about 400,000 residents.

Earlier, President Bola Tinubu directed the immediate evacuation of residents affected by floods in the state.

He assured Babagana Zulum, Borno governor, of the federal government’s readiness to collaborate to address the immediate humanitarian needs.

On Wednesday, Zagazola Makama, a publication focused on counter-insurgency in the Lake Chad region, said soldiers have been deployed to lead search and rescue efforts in the state.

The army had also forwarded images of the rescue operations to TheCable.