Tinubu orders immediate evacuation of victims of Maiduguri flood

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate evacuation of residents affected by flood in Maiduguri, Borno state.

On Tuesday, many residents fled their homes following a flood incident which affected parts of Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin area of Maiduguri.

The flood occurred due to the collapse of the Alau Dam which has been at full capacity for the past week.

In a statement on Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the president, said Tinubu has condoled with residents over the devastating flood incident in the state.

The president assured Babagana Zulum, the state governor, of the federal government’s readiness to collaborate to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected persons.

“President Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the State, especially to the families that have lost their means of livelihood due to the disaster triggered by the overflow of the Alau Dam,” Onanuga said.

“While relevant authorities are still assessing the damage wrought by the flood, the President calls for the immediate evacuation of people from affected areas.

“President Tinubu assures Governor Babagana Umara Zulum that the Federal Government is ready to collaborate to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected people.”

Meanwhile, Tinubu has directed Vice-President Kashim Shettima to visit the affected state.

Shettima made this known on Tuesday at the 17th annual banking and finance conference (CIBN) in Abuja.

He expressed the president’s sympathy to all the victims of flood disasters nationwide.

“After this meeting with the consent of the President, I will rush to Maiduguri. The whole city has been overtaken by flood,” Shettima said.

“It is not peculiar to one part of the country. We are facing these challenges right from Bayelsa to Sokoto.

“Be rest assured that the president has the nation at heart and will do whatever it takes to salvage the state of affairs.”