Thousands Flee as Alau Dam Collapse Causes Severe Flooding in Maiduguri

Thousands of Maiduguri residents have been forced to flee their homes following a massive flood triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam. The dam, which had been at full capacity for several days, gave way in the early hours of Tuesday, causing severe flooding in various parts of the Borno State capital, including the government house and the Emir’s palace.

The flood also resulted in the escape of wild animals from the state zoo, with snakes, crocodiles, and ostriches roaming the streets. The hardest-hit areas include Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin, where homes were swept away, turning streets into rivers.

Videos circulating on social media show the devastation, as residents, overwhelmed by rising waters, abandoned their homes and sought refuge on higher ground.

This disaster follows the Nigerian military’s evacuation of residents from the Alau community in Konduga Local Government Area just days earlier, after the dam began to overflow. Personnel had moved residents to safety on September 6, but the situation worsened when the dam fully collapsed.

In response, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has visited affected areas to assess the damage and provide aid to displaced residents. Usman Tar, Borno State’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, issued an urgent alert on Tuesday, calling for the immediate evacuation of those living near riverbanks.

“Due to the unusually high water levels, we urge all residents along the riverbank to take immediate precautions to protect themselves and their properties,” Tar said, warning that the water had broken through another channel and was heading toward farms and the riverbank.

Residents have been advised to stay away from flood-prone areas as rescue and relief efforts continue. This is the first time since 1994 that the Alau Dam has collapsed, which previously caused similar widespread flooding in Maiduguri.