SURVIVORS of the Maiduguri flood, the worst in three decades, have narrated their harrowing experiences before they were rescued.
The heavy rainfall, which began Monday night had ruptured the Alau Dam in the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and flooded residential areas and public buildings, including hospitals and schools.
Those taken to safety thanked God for saving their lives, but said many families are still trapped in hard to reach locations.
Our correspondents report that search and rescue teams have intensified operations at various locations as the flood waters continue to recede.
Survivors of the Maiduguri flood, the worst in three decades, have narrated their harrowing experiences before they were rescued.
The heavy rainfall, which began Monday night had ruptured the Alau Dam in the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and flooded residential areas and public buildings, including hospitals and schools.
Those taken to safety thanked God for saving their lives, but said many families are still trapped in hard to reach locations.
Our correspondents report that search and rescue teams have intensified operations at various locations as the flood waters continue to recede.
Another victim, Abubakar Tijjani, who said he was rescued by the military, told the this newspaper that he left behind other people in dire situation.
“As it is now, over 50 people including men, women, old and young that have been rescued are taking refuge in the house I also relocated to. The number keeps increasing as the rescue operations continue.
“With efforts of the military and others, we hope that more people would be rescued as the flood subsides.
“Right now, all the available resources with me and my family have been overstretched,” he said.
Another rescued person, Ahmed Jallo, said they left behind people in thirst and hunger.
“I never thought that I would make it alive; the water had swallowed my house,” he said.
“We couldn’t access drinking water; we broke into many shops and ate everything inside. At a point we were left with nothing to eat.
“Many people died and floated on the water with animals’ carcasses for days unattended.
“I thank God for saving my life, and the people that rescued us,” he said.
He said the flood had subsided in Gwazari and Ali Goshe, but the areas are still not habitable.
Jummai, a school teacher, said her parents were only rescued from their house around Gamboru after three days.
“Gladly, our house is an upstairs, therefore, the whole family relocated to the first floor. It was after two days that they were rescued,” she said.
A woman, who did not give her name, said her residence located at the 505 Housing Units, along Dikwa Road, said she had to pay N100,000 for canoe operators to rescue her sheep from a flooded area.
“I was able to escape with my family before the flood took over the whole area. However, even though we have relocated to safety, I continued to feel guilty because I left my animals there. I had to pay canoe operators N100,000 to go and rescue them.
“From Muna Garage where we are now to the 505 Estate is a stone throw, but look at how some people are taking advantage of our plight to make money. May the Almighty restore amity in our Borno,” she said.