UNIMAID Shuts Down As Flood Ravages Borno

The University of Maiduguri in Borno State has been closed until further notice due to a severe flood that has devastated large areas of the state capital.

The university management announced the temporary closure in a statement on Tuesday by its registrar, Ahmad A. Lawan, sympathising with staff members and students affected by the disaster.

The statement read, “This is ot inform all staff and students that in view of the devastating flood disaster that is affecting Maiduguri and its environment, the university management is hereby suspending all lectures in the university and closing offices temporarily with immediate effect until the situation improves.

“The measures are taken by the management to safeguard staff and students and to assess the situation before further necessary actions are taken.

The management is extending its heartfelt sympathy to all staff and students affected by the flood disaster and pray God to forestall future occurrence.”

The flooding is attributed to the collapse of Alau Dam that has been allegedly filled to capacity for the past one week.

Daily Trust had reported how thousands of residents fled their homes following a devastating flood in parts of Maiduguri.

The last time the dam had such a problem was in 1994, resulting in unprecedented flooding in Maiduguri when almost half of the town was flooded.

In a statement in the early hours of Tuesday, Prof. Usman Tar, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, called for immediate evacuation of people living around the river bank.

The Borno Museum Park has also raised the alarm over incursion of deadly animals into residential communities.

The General manager Borno State Museum Park, Ali Abatcha Don Best, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

He said the flood disaster caused damage to properties and led to the deaths of over 80% of animals.