BY FAIZA JIBRIN, JULY 30, 2025 | 1:00PM
Flooding has swept through multiple neighborhoods of Maiduguri on Wednesday following heavy rainfall that began in the early hours of the morning.
The downpour, which started around 5:00AM quickly overwhelmed the city’s drainage systems, inundating streets and homes in areas such as Dala axis, Bulunkutu, parts of Damboa Road, and the Polo area, Federal Low Cost among others.
The intensity and duration of the rainfall caused significant disruption across the city, with floodwaters damaging property and forcing residents to seek refuge.
Some communities experienced temporary displacement as water levels rose rapidly, cutting off access and affecting daily activities.
While the heavy rainfall was the immediate cause, several people attributed the scale of the damage to poor waste disposal practices.
According to a resident, drainage channels across Maiduguri were reportedly clogged with plastic waste, household refuse, and construction debris.
'The blockages hindered the proper flow of stormwater, causing widespread overflow and further flooding,' he said.
He added that the lack of routine maintenance and public compliance has left many parts of the city vulnerable to flooding, especially during the rainy season.
As cleanup efforts begin, there are renewed calls for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, public awareness campaigns on proper waste disposal, and the rehabilitation of drainage infrastructure to prevent future disasters.
Members of the public are calling on the government to take immediate action on environmental management, including the clearing of blocked drainages and the reform of urban infrastructure, to avert future preventable disasters
With more rain expected in the coming weeks, residents are urged to take precautionary measures and cooperate with relevant authorities to reduce the risk of recurring floods.
As at the time of filing this report, no casualty was reported.