Borno Flood: My Wife, 5 Kids Still Missing – Survivor Tells His Story

Survivors of the worst flood in Maiduguri in three decades have shared their harrowing experiences before being rescued.

The heavy rainfall, which began Monday night had ruptured the Alau Dam in the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and flooded residential areas and public buildings,  including hospitals and schools.

Those taken to safety thanked God for saving their lives, but said many families are still trapped in hard to reach locations.

Daily Trust report that search and rescue teams have intensified operations at various locations as the flood waters continue to recede.

I can’t locate my wife, 5 kids– Survivor

Goni Ba Usman, who was crying profusely sat under a tree yesterday, saying his wife and five children were still missing.

“The last time I saw my wife and the kids was on Tuesday, around 6:30am. You are giving me water, how can I drink water when I have not seen my family since the flood struck?” he told rescue workers at one of the IDP camps.

“I am finished. We went to the Babagana Wakil Camp, but we couldn’t find them. I saw some of my neighbours there but I couldn’t find my family.

“Innalillahi Wa’inna Ilaihi Rajiun, (from Allah we came and to him is our return),” he kept repeating while people continued to give him hope that his family members are alive.

‘I left neighbours in dire situation’

Another victim, Abubakar Tijjani, who said he was rescued by the military, told the Daily Trust that he left behind other people in dire situation.

“As it is now, over 50 people including men, women, old and young that have been rescued are taking refuge in the house I also relocated to. The number keeps increasing as the rescue operations continue.

“With efforts of the military and others, we hope that more people would be rescued as the flood subsides.

“Right now, all the available resources with me and my family have been overstretched,” he said.

Another rescued person, Ahmed Jallo, said they left behind people in thirst and hunger.

“I never thought that I would make it alive; the water had swallowed my house,” he said.

“We couldn’t access drinking water; we broke into many shops and ate everything inside. At a point we were left with nothing to eat.

“Many people died and floated on the water with animals’ carcasses for days unattended.

“I thank God for saving my life, and the people that rescued us,” he said.

He said the flood had subsided in Gwazari and Ali Goshe, but the areas are still not habitable.

Jummai, a school teacher, said her parents were only rescued from their house around Gamboru after three days.

“Gladly, our house is an upstairs, therefore, the whole family relocated to the first floor. It was after two days that they were rescued,” she said.

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Source: Daily Trust