The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reported that an unspecified number of people remain trapped in the 505 area and the DSS quarters in Maiduguri following recent flooding. The agency’s Director of Planning, Research, and Forecasting, Onimode Bandele, made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s *Morning Brief* on Thursday. He emphasized that rescue efforts are currently underway to evacuate the affected residents.
“The latest report this morning is that people who live around 505 and the DSS quarters are still trapped, so the effort is ongoing to get these people out,” Bandele stated.
The flood has caused significant distress in Maiduguri, with residents stranded and several areas submerged. Bandele commended both the Federal Government and the Borno State Government for their swift response to the crisis, noting that relief materials have already been provided to those affected by the floods in the North-Eastern state.
Bandele also addressed claims that the floodwaters might have exhumed some bodies from burial sites. He clarified that while these reports exist, confirmation would only be possible after the water recedes significantly, allowing a clear view of the affected areas.
Efforts to rescue those stranded, particularly those trapped on rooftops, have been challenging. However, Bandele assured that search and rescue teams, along with the support of the Disaster Response Unit, are actively working to evacuate these individuals to safety.
In response to the disaster, four camps have been established for the victims, with the number of tents increasing to nine. NEMA, in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force, has also mobilized medical teams to provide healthcare to those in need.
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“We are aware that drinking water is going to be a problem. NEMA has mobilized its own assets; we have water purification plants that have been mobilized to Maiduguri. These plants can provide drinking water within five minutes. No matter the source of water, they have the capacity to process water that is safe and healthy for drinking,” Bandele explained.
The Borno State Government has also taken steps by mobilizing trucks to assist in evacuating the stranded residents. With rescue operations and relief efforts in full swing, authorities remain focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of all affected individuals in the flood-ravaged areas of Maiduguri.
