Eight Buildings Collapse as Heavy Downpour Triggers Flooding in Maiduguri and Jere
At least eight buildings have collapsed following a torrential downpour that caused widespread flooding across Maiduguri Metropolis and Jere Local Government Area in Borno State on Wednesday, July 30. The heavy rainfall, which began around 6:15 a.m. and lasted for approximately three hours, overwhelmed several riverbank communities, leaving many residents displaced and property severely damaged.
Flooded areas included Bulumkutu, Gomari, Jidari, Ngomari, and Moduganari, where water inundated homes, shops, and streets. In Bulumkutu, residents like Ahmodu Ibrahim recounted how their homes were overtaken by water within two hours of the rainfall. Many families were forced to evacuate, carrying their belongings through rising waters. A local trader, Aisha Suraju, lamented the destruction of her goods, stating that her shop was submerged and most of her inventory ruined.
Though no casualties have been reported, the collapse of multiple structures mostly residential sparked concern over the safety of buildings in flood-prone zones, particularly those with weak foundations or unreinforced construction.
The Borno State Police Command quickly mobilized to respond to the incident. Officers were deployed to flooded communities and collapse sites to secure properties and prevent looting. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Garba Audu Bosso, led the emergency response alongside ACP Jawi Muhammed and other divisional heads. Police Commissioner Naziru Abdulmaji, who commended the swift deployment of personnel, urged residents to remain calm and vigilant. He also advised parents to keep children away from floodwaters to prevent drownings and waterborne diseases.
This disaster is the latest in a series of flood-related incidents in Borno State. It comes less than a year after the catastrophic Alau Dam breach in September 2024, which killed more than 150 people and displaced over 400,000. That flood affected over 70% of Maiduguri and surrounding communities, exposing major weaknesses in urban drainage systems and emergency preparedness.
The current flooding event underscores the need for urgent government intervention, both in terms of short-term relief for affected households and long-term infrastructure planning. Urban expansion, poor drainage networks, and climate change continue to heighten the risk of flood disasters in the state.
Authorities are expected to carry out further assessments to determine the full extent of the damage and to coordinate relief efforts for displaced families.
