Ahmed Miringa 
…Gov’t cautions against crocodiles, snakes and other animals from destroyed zoo
Thousands of residents of Maiduguri, the Bormo State capital, have been displaced, while property worth billions of naira were destroyed, as houses, shops, schools, public buildings, hospitals were submerged by flood as a result of the overflow of the Alau Dam.
Even the Palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garbai Elken – emi, was among the places sub – merged by flood in the early hours of yesterday. It was gathered from residents that the Shehu has left his palace to the Government House where he is currently taking refuge.
A resident of Kofar Shehu said: “This is shocking. I have never witnessed this before. Even the Shehu has left his palace to the Government House.” Our correspondent in Maiduguri learnt that areas such Lagos Street, Modugari, Post Office, and Gwange are the worst affected parts as residents struggle to rescue their properties and lives.
The flood submerged residential quarters, roads, school, also over took the Sanda Kyari parks (zoo), throwing animals into the streets. Our correspondent who visited parts of the metropolis, reports that the flood forced animals from the state owned Sanda Kyarimi Park to go on rampage which has now posed a grave danger to residents.
Most residents of Shehuri area have fled to the Palace of the Shehu of Borno, which was also not spared as the flood have taken over the place as well as Maiduguri Mosque.
Also affected by the flood are Maiduguri Monday Market, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, State Specialist Hospital, College of Health and Technology, State Secretariat, Post office area among others.
Many residents were seen with their few items, especially food stuff looking for safe haven, as the Bormo State Government has commenced evacuation of victims to Bakasi IDP camps and primary schools. Good Samaritans, especially youths are putting sand provided by the state government into bags and erecting sandbags to prevent water from entering their houses.
The Bormo State Government in statement by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, has advised residents to follow evacuation routes to ensure safety.
The statement, which was released in the early hours of yesterday, titled: “Flooding Alert for River Bank Residents,” called for immediate evacuation of residents and advised the affected areas to follow evacuation routes to ensure safe passage.
Following the flood, the Borno State Government has also announced the closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state for two weeks.
The Borno State Ministry for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation in a statement signed by the Acting Director, Schools Services, Grema Bulama, on Monday said it was as a result of the flooding which displaced many people across the state.
The Police and other security agencies were seen trying to as – sist victims and prevent hoodlum from looting people property, as well preventing people from following dangerous routes.
Also, the General Manager, Borno State Sanda Kyarimi Park,(Zoo), Hon. Ali Abatcha has called the attention of the public to be aware and take all necessary precaution and measures to avoid rampaging animals.
The General Manager in a statement yesterday said: “I wish to announce that the recent flood disaster has disrupted and caused a damage to properties and loss of lives of more than 80% of the animals in the Zoo”.
“In this devastating period of flood disaster, I wish to also announce that some deadly animals has been washed away into our communities, animals like crocodiles and snakes, I call on the attention of the General public to be aware and take all the necessary precautions measures to avoid these animals.”
