From Okwe Obi, Abuja

Death toll resulting from the flood has risen to 259  in 172 local government areas across 29 states.

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, who made the disclosure at the national emergency coordination forum meeting in Abuja, yesterday, put the numbers of persons impacted by the disaster at  no fewer than 1,048,312 people while 625,239 others were displaced.

“The current trend of flooding indicated that 29 states and 172 LGAs have been impacted by flooding, affecting 1,048,312 people, displaced 625,239 and have led to the death of 259 lives.

“This unfortunate and almost unexpected incident requires coordinated response, hence the call for this emergency meeting.

“This occurrence is not in total deviation from the predictions as contained in this year’s Annual Flood Outlook released by NIHSA which informed that in the months of July to September, 2024, 33 States and 135 LGAs are within flood high-risk areas, while the period between October and November has 19 States and 44 LGAs.”

Umar said flood predictions across Nigeria for this year had earlier been disseminated to various stakeholders by NEMA and other agencies.

The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Aliyu Tijani, said food items and non food items relief items would be sent to victims of flood in Borno State.

He said the Commission was saddened by the recent catastrophic flooding as a result of the overflowing of the Alau Dam, which led to the devastating flood in Maiduguri and its environs.

“The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), which is vested with the responsibility of ensuring protection, assistance, care, maintenance and rehabilitation as well as provision of durable solutions to those displaced by climate change induced disasters, will provide food, non-food items,educational materials, WASH, Shelter, drugs and medical supplies for emergency needs in order to bring succour to those adversely impacted by the flooding.

“The Commission will also ensure the provision of mental health and Psycho-social support to those traumatised population. Equally, the Commission will support the Borno State Government in providing access to the Commission’s recovery shelter at Amarwa Resettlement city.

“In order to prevent the re-occurrence of this unfortunate incident in the future, the Commission will liaise with relevant stakeholders to organize advocacy on the need to educate households to ensure clearing of drainage lines to allow for seamless flow of water within the Maiduguri metropolis and other communities.

“In view of the foregoing, an immediate palliative arrangement has been concluded by the Commission to stabilize the displaced population in Borno State.”

Meanwhile, NEMA), the military and other organisations have intensified rescue operations as many residents remained trapped or are missing, two days after the flood in Maiduguri.

The North East Acting Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr. Sirajo Garba, said in Maiduguri, that dozens of other people who were trapped in their homes were rescued, yesterday.

“We have deployed high suspension vehicles and boats and the  military are working on a search and rescue operation particularly in wards like Abbaganaram, Muna, and 505 estate.

“On our side as NEMA, we rescued about 200 people between yesterday and today.

”On the day of the incident,  over 1,000 people were rescued, while over 70,000 have been profiled in seven camps.”

On the number of casualties, Garba said: ”The number can not be ascertained now”, adding that so far NEMA has issued four body bags. As the water continues to recede,  we may find more bodies.”

Meanwhile, members of Nigeria Governors Forum led by its Chairman and Governor of Kwara , Alhaji Abdultahman Abdulrazak, arrived in Maiduguri to commiserate with the Government and people of the state.

Others who visited were the National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, Ministers of Water Resources, Interior, Agriculture, and some members of the National Assembly.

Governor  Ahmadu Fintiri during the visit donated N50 million, while Muktar  Betara (APC-Borno) donated N100 million.

Meanwhile, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has commiserated with the people of Maiduguri.

Aminu Mua’zu-Maifata, national president of ALGON, stated this on behalf of the chairmen of the 774 local government areas while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Lafia.

He said ALGON commiserates with the families of those who lost their loved ones and property to the disaster.

“Our thoughts are with the government and people of Borno  during this difficult time.

“We urge the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Maiduguri and mobilise resources to support the victims.

“We also urge the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to provide immediate relief materials and support to the affected communities,” he said.

Mua’zu-Maifata further called for swift measures to prevent future occurrences.

“We believe that a multi-stakeholder approach is necessary to address the root causes of this disaster and ensure that those affected receive the necessary support.

“Once again, we sympathise with the people of Maiduguri and assure them of our support during this challenging period,” he said.