BY MUHAMMAD MUHAMMAD AL-AMIN, JAN 24, 2026 | 2:22PM
A Night That Changed Everything
On the night of September 10, 2024, everything changed for thousands of residents in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Area.
After the Alau Dam gave way, heavy rainfall turned into a catastrophic flood that submerged neighborhoods, overwhelmed rivers, and burst drainage systems.
Water invaded homes, markets, and farmlands, displacing families, destroying livelihoods, and bringing daily life to a sudden halt.
For residents of low-lying and riverside communities, this was not just a natural disaster but a loss of safety, dignity, and means of survival.
‘By Midnight, the Water Was Inside Our Home’ — Ya Baa’ana’s Escape
In the riverine community of Gomboru, the flood arrived with little warning.
Ya Baa’ana Usman, a mother of five, recalls a night she will never forget.
‘The water began rising slowly. We didn’t realize how bad it would become. By midnight, it was already inside our home,’ she said.
‘We grabbed what we could and ran toward the football field near Shehu’s Palace. By then, the water was already at my waist.’
As water levels climbed, panic spread across the community.
Families scattered, carrying children and searching desperately for higher ground.
‘I was the last person to leave my house. I barely found a way out, but by God’s grace, I made it to the palace,’ she added.
‘We left everything behind — clothes, food, mattresses.’
Survival on the Flyover: Elderly Voices from the Flood
Alhaji Bulama, an elderly resident, said many people underestimated the danger.
‘We heard that the dam had broken, but we never thought the water would reach us,’ he said.
Once the flood arrived, escape became a fight for survival.
‘When our community was covered, we carried our children and tried to swim toward Muna. Some of us survived by staying on top of the Customs flyover,’ he explained.
He noted that local youths played a critical role in rescue efforts.
According to him, the youths helped victims into vehicles and transported them to temporary camps in Bakassi, Government College, and Teachers’ Village.
Government assistance in the form of food and relief materials arrived later.
Livelihoods Washed Away
Beyond destroyed homes, the flood wiped out sources of income, pushing already vulnerable families deeper into poverty.
Both Ya Baa’ana and Alhaji Bulama lost the small businesses and farming activities they depended on for survival.
With no savings and limited support, rebuilding life after the flood has remained an uphill task.
Collapsed Drainage, Broken Community — Kursho Bashir, Jere
In Kursho Bashir area of Old Maiduguri, Jere LGA, floodwaters destroyed a critical drainage system, leaving the community exposed and unsafe.
Hassaini Bukar, a Qur’anic teacher, explained that the drainage was originally constructed during the administration of former governor Mohammed Goni and later improved under Governor Kashim Shettima.
‘The flood destroyed everything in one night. Now we don’t even know where to begin,’ he said.
The damage has turned everyday movement into a risk.
‘Children fall and get injured while fetching water. Pregnant women can hardly cross the road,’ said Hafsat Alkali Adam, a resident.
Many households now depend almost entirely on government and NGO assistance.
Inside the Emergency Response: Humanitarian Workers Speak
As displaced families sought refuge in schools, open spaces, and relatives’ homes, humanitarian organizations stepped in with emergency relief.
Comrade Tijjani Bura Monguno, a humanitarian worker, described the early days of the response.
‘On the first day, people had no food and no clean water. The situation was critical,’ he said.
Although food items, hygiene kits, diapers, and sanitary pads were distributed, the scale of need overwhelmed available resources.
‘Flood response is not just about food. It’s about restoring dignity and preventing disease. The most affected were children, women, and the elderly,’ he added.
Experts Warn: Climate Change and Poor Planning to Blame
Environmental experts attribute the 2024 flood to a combination of climate change, intense rainfall, blocked drainage systems, and construction in flood-prone areas.
Aisha Umar Kyari, a geography lecturer at Kashim Ibrahim University, said climate change played a major role.
‘Rising global temperatures have altered rainfall patterns, causing heavier and more unpredictable downpours,’ she explained.
She noted that the unusual rainfall overwhelmed the Alau Dam reservoir.
‘The dam and its spillway could not contain the volume, forcing a release that flooded downstream communities,’ she said.
After the Waters: Living with Loss and Uncertainty
Months after the disaster, many survivors are still struggling to rebuild their lives.
Some houses remain damaged, while others have been abandoned entirely.
For Ya Baa’ana, gratitude for survival is mixed with uncertainty about the future.
‘We thank God that we are alive, but we are begging the government and kind-hearted people to help us,’ she said.
A Warning Written in Water
The September 2024 flood in parts of MMC and Jere was more than an environmental incident.
It was a human crisis that exposed gaps in urban planning, climate preparedness, and social protection systems.
As climate change continues to drive extreme weather events, the experience of Borno State stands as both a warning and a call to action.
Without urgent investment in drainage infrastructure, early-warning systems, and safer housing, communities risk reliving the same tragedy.
Behind the floodwaters were real people, real losses, and real stories — stories that must not be forgotten.
This story is supported by HumAngle’s 2025 SCOJA Fellowship.