VIDEO: Prison walls collapse, Emir’s palace overrun as flood sweeps Maiduguri

A massive flood is currently wreaking havoc in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, leaving almost every part of the city affected.

The flood which was as a result of the breakdown of Alau Dam, caused the release of huge volumes of water into Maiduguri, leaving many homes submerged.

Inmates in the state prison were immediately relocated after the wall of the penitentiary caved. The palace of the Shehu of Borno was also not spared by the flood.

The Alau Dam that has been filled to capacity for the past one week, according to a statement in the early hours of Tuesday by Usman Tar, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, titled “Flooding Alert for River Bank Residents “, called for immediate evacuation.

Mr Tar, a professor, said, “Due to the unusually high volume of water this year, we urge all the residents living along the river bank to take immediate action to protect themselves and their properties.

“The Alau Dam water has broken down another channel that is currently destroying farms and the water is heading toward the river bank.”

Mr Tar also urged the residents of the affected areas to follow evacuation routes to ensure safe passage.