By Faridat Salifu
A torrential downpour in Maiduguri last Wednesday led to the collapse of at least eight buildings across several neighborhoods, including Gomari, Bulumkutu and Jiddari, prompting swift intervention by the Borno State Police Command to prevent further risks and ensure security.
Though no fatalities were reported, the damage has raised fresh concerns about the region’s flood vulnerability and the resilience of housing infrastructure in high-risk urban areas.
Police authorities, led by Deputy Commissioner of Operations Garba Audu Bosso, conducted an emergency assessment and deployed patrol teams to the affected communities to safeguard abandoned properties and deter looting or criminal activity.
The operation was reinforced by Assistant Commissioner of Police Jawi Muhammed and Divisional Police Officers stationed across the Maiduguri metropolis.
Borno State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, urged residents to remain cautious and to keep children away from floodwaters, warning that more rainfall could pose further danger.
He also reaffirmed the police command’s commitment to disaster response and public safety, offering emergency contact numbers: 0806 807 5581 and 0802 347 3293.
The latest incident adds to growing pressure on local authorities to strengthen drainage systems and enforce climate-adaptive urban planning as extreme weather events become more frequent in the Sahel region.
