Tinubu Directs Shettima to Visit Flood-Ravaged Maiduguri

President Bola Tinubu has instructed Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit Maiduguri, Borno State, in response to the severe flooding that has devastated the state capital.

The vice president made this announcement on Tuesday while addressing attendees at the 17th Annual Banking and Finance Conference (CIBN) in Abuja, themed “Accelerated Economic Growth and Development: The State of Play and the Way Forward.”

“Following the consent of the president, I will be heading straight to Maiduguri after this event. The city is currently overwhelmed by flooding,” Shettima stated.

He emphasized that the flood crisis is not confined to Maiduguri but is affecting various parts of Nigeria, stretching from Bayelsa to Sokoto. “The president is deeply concerned about the situation and is committed to taking the necessary steps to address it,” he added.

The Tinubu administration has expressed sympathy for flood victims across the nation. “I want to take this opportunity to extend the government’s condolences to all those affected by the floods occurring nationwide,” Shettima said.

The flooding in Maiduguri has displaced many residents due to the collapse of water channels at the Alau Dam. The floodwaters have submerged several key areas, including residential neighborhoods, roads, and bridges, rendering large parts of the city inaccessible.

A correspondent from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the flood has affected critical infrastructure, including parts of the Shehu of Borno’s Palace, the Maiduguri Central Market, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Other areas impacted include the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Maiduguri Zoo, and various educational institutions like the College of Nursing, College of Agriculture, and School of Health Technology.

In response, many residents have been forced to evacuate, with some communities taking action by erecting sandbags to protect their homes. The Borno State government has not yet released official casualty figures but has ordered the closure of all public and private schools for two weeks to mitigate the crisis.