Borno Submerged

September 10, 2024, floods in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, Nigeria, have had devastating consequences, exacerbating already existing challenges in a region beleaguered by over a decade of insurgency and humanitarian crises. The areas affected were mainly Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Areas (LGAs). Heavy rainfall and structural failure from the Alau dam resulted in the dam breaching its banks overnight, causing the worst flood in 30 years. This catastrophe submerged over 70% of Maiduguri. Beyond the immediate destruction, the flood has far-reaching implications, from heightened insecurity to a deepening of the humanitarian crisis and extensive economic damage.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the flood killed 259 people and displaced 625,239. It has affected approximately one million people, damaging infrastructure and submerging the homes of many residents. This unfortunate event increases the vulnerability of residents in the affected areas. Access to many places is significantly restricted, affecting critical supply chains and disrupting access to schools, healthcare facilities, and markets. Many of the displaced have sought refuge in overcrowded Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, worsening already dire living conditions. Before the flood, nearly 4.8 million people in the region were already in dire need of humanitarian assistance due to the menace of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgencies, making the situation even more precarious.

One of the flooding’s most immediate and alarming consequences is the mass jailbreak from Maiduguri’s central correctional facility. Over 200 inmates escaped when the prison was overrun by floodwaters, with many still at large. Reports indicate that among the escapees were individuals incarcerated for violent crimes, including members of Boko Haram and ISWA. Prisoners escaping due to the flood could potentially help strengthen Boko Haram’s ranks and aid them in regaining some lost territories.

The flood has had far-reaching consequences in other areas, disrupting power supply and businesses, causing clean water shortages and affecting telecommunication services. Another potential issue that can come from the flood is food shortages. According to the World Food Programme, Maiduguri is already facing a malnutrition crisis, with 4.4 million people lacking access to food. This flash flood could potentially drive up food-insecure people, worsening the food insecurity. Moreover, the economic impact extends beyond immediate losses. The long-term costs of rebuilding infrastructure, resettling displaced populations, and restoring public services will be immense. The federal government has already opened more IDP camps to accommodate the displaced, but the financial burden on local and national authorities will be substantial. The need for international support is critical, both for immediate relief efforts and for long-term reconstruction and development.

The flood has largely been attributed to government failures. Though there were early metrological warnings, early response was largely lacking. Also, the collapse of the Alau dam is not new. The dam was created in 1986 to help farmers with irrigation in Maiduguri. In many instances, the dam has helped control flooding; however, in 1994, heavy rainfall caused the dam to break and flood Maiduguri. The flood also affected Kebbi, Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina, Kwara, Plateau and parts of Cameroon. In 2012, the dam broke and flooded nearby communities, claiming the lives of 363 people and displaced 3.8 million people. Similarly, the 2022 floods, caused by heavy rains and the release of excess water from the Lagdo dam, affected 29 States in Nigeria. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society and NEMA, the 2022 flood affected more than 19,000 and displaced over 13,000 people. It killed 67 people from 100 communities in eight LGAs. The reoccurrence of the dam collapsing reflects the government’s failure to take long-term measures that will help prevent the dam from future collapse, which will likely continue to disproportionately affect people who have been displaced or are facing mobility restrictions.

As a response to the flood, the Nigerian military and law enforcement agencies have launched a manhunt for the escaped prisoners. Still, the receding floodwaters and the breakdown of communication networks complicate these efforts. The instability caused by the jailbreak could undermine ongoing counterinsurgency efforts and lead to an increase in attacks on civilians, aid workers, and security personnel. The federal government has also approved ₦3 billion for each state of the federation to tackle all forms of natural disasters. The United Nations has mobilised for emergency assistance. However, the scale of the disaster presents a formidable challenge. Aid agencies struggle to reach some of the worst-affected areas due to flooded roads and damaged infrastructure. The humanitarian response focuses on providing the displaced with food, clean water, shelter, and medical care. Still, resources are stretched thin as the number of affected individuals continues to rise.

The September 2024 floods in Maiduguri have created a crisis with implications for security, humanitarian relief, and the economy. The mass jailbreak has heightened insecurity in an already volatile region. At the same time, the flood has exacerbated the humanitarian emergency, displacing hundreds of thousands and putting them at risk of disease and starvation. The economic damage is severe, with billions of naira lost in destroyed property and livelihoods. As Borno State grapples with the aftermath, a coordinated and sustained response from the Nigerian government and the international community is essential to mitigate the long-term impacts of this disaster.