In a show of compassion and responsibility, Vice President Kashim Shettima, acting under the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, paid a visit to Maiduguri to express sympathy with the millions of residents displaced by a devastating flood that engulfed the city on Tuesday. The disaster left much of the city submerged, displacing countless families and upending daily life. The Vice President’s visit marked the government’s commitment to swift intervention and relief.
Governor Babagana Zulum, who was on an official trip abroad at the time, cut short his visit and immediately returned to Maiduguri. He visited several camps where the displaced were being sheltered, including the Shehu of Borno’s palace, which had also succumbed to the floodwaters. His swift return further underscored the gravity of the disaster and his deep concern for the people of Borno.
The flood was so severe that it affected even the Old Maiduguri Prison, leading to the relocation of inmates to the new Maximum Prison near Maimalari Cantonment. There were also reports of a jailbreak during the flooding, although details remained unconfirmed. Security forces, however, managed to evacuate the remaining inmates to safety.
At the Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, where thousands had sought refuge, Vice President Shettima addressed the victims, offering words of comfort and urging them to see the disaster as an act of God. He assured them that the government would not abandon them in their time of need. He had directed various agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the North East Development Commission (NEDC), and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), to collaborate with the Borno State Government to swiftly provide relief materials.
“I am here under the directive of Mr. President to sympathize with you over this unfortunate incident,” Shettima said. “I commend you for your resilience and assure you that the government will provide the necessary support to alleviate your suffering.”
The Vice President and his entourage, including Governor Zulum, were transported in military vehicles to access the Shehu of Borno’s palace, which had been flooded. At the palace, Shettima conveyed the Federal Government’s condolences to the Emirate Council and assured the Shehu, Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi, of the government’s support. He announced that 50 trucks of rice had been dispatched to Maiduguri for distribution to the affected populations.
In his response, the Shehu expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, and Governor Zulum for their swift and compassionate response to the crisis. Their presence, he noted, was a source of great comfort to the people of Borno.
Governor Zulum, who had earlier visited multiple flood-stricken areas, including Gomari Airport Primary and Secondary School and the Bakassi IDP camp, also promised comprehensive support for the victims. He assured them that the state government would prioritize their needs and facilitate their safe return to their homes as conditions improved.
The VP who could not have access to his Maiduguri residence due to the flood has since returned to Abuja.
