Former President Muhammadu Buhari has described as national calamity the widespread devastation of homes, farmland, and the loss of lives in Borno and several other states of the federation caused by severe floods.

The former President said his thoughts and prayers are with victims of the floods.

Buhari, in a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, sends commiserations to the government and people of Borno and the other states.

The former president, who said he had heard of the widespread devastation of homes, farmland, and the loss of lives, expressed his hope that the relief measures by the various governments would provide comfort and help people who had lost their family members and livelihood to resume their normal lives.

“My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this natural disaster,” said the former president.

Many residents of Maiduguri have been displaced by flood, following the collapse of water channels at the Alau Dam.

The flood submerged residential quarters, roads and bridges, making many areas in the metropolis inaccessible.

The flood submerged strategic areas including parts of the Shehu of Borno Palace, Maiduguri Central Market and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Other areas badly hit included the GRA, Maiduguri Zoo, College of Nursing, College of Agriculture and School of Health Technology, among others.

Many residents were seen evacuating basic items to areas considered relatively safer, with some youths erecting sandbags to prevent water from entering their quarters.

The state government is yet to issue official figures of casualties, but it has ordered the closure of public and private schools for two weeks.

The Star