Constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Barrister Hamza N. Dantani, has issued a grave warning about a looming flood disaster in Borno State. His alarm comes in the wake of fresh predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) indicating impending floods in 11 states, including Borno.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, Dantani urged the Borno State Government to undertake urgent and proactive measures to mitigate potential flooding in major areas. He stressed that the state cannot afford a repeat of the devastating floods that struck in 2024.
“The rainy season has returned to Borno, and like many residents of Maiduguri, I am deeply concerned. We all remember what happened last year, it was catastrophic,” he said.
Dantani recalled that the floods of September 2024, triggered by relentless rainfall and the collapse of the Alau Dam, resulted in one of the worst natural disasters in the state’s history. “Homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses were destroyed. The state’s economy was shattered. Hundreds of thousands were displaced, many lives were lost and now, experts are warning of another potential disaster. Unfortunately, the government appears unprepared once again,” he lamented.
According to Dantani, if immediate steps are not taken, Borno may face an even worse scenario in 2025. He described NiMet’s warning as a crucial “wake-up call for action, not complacency.”
He further detailed the 2024 catastrophe: “In September 2024, torrential rains led to the collapse of the Alau Dam, unleashing devastating flash floods that submerged large swathes of Maiduguri and Jere LGAs. Over 70% of Maiduguri’s population was displaced, more than a million people were affected, and billions of naira worth of property were destroyed.”
Critical infrastructure, including the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the State General Hospital, were flooded, forcing the suspension of essential health services. Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps like El-Miskin were overwhelmed, leading many residents to relocate to Bakasi camp. Even the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo lost 40% of its animals, with some escaping onto the streets.
“Access to potable water was severely compromised, and large parts of the city were thrown into darkness due to damage to electricity infrastructure,” he added. “Governor Babagana Zulum rightly described the flood as ‘beyond human imagination.’ It was indeed a humanitarian disaster of unprecedented scale.”
Dantani warned that NiMet’s forecast for 2025 predicts further heavy rainfall across Bama, Damboa, Gwoza, and other flood-prone areas in Borno, yet the state government has failed to respond with adequate measures. He highlighted several highly vulnerable areas, including the Shehu’s Palace area, Gwange Axis, Bulabulin Ward, Shehu Sanda Kyari Zoo Park area, Post Office axis, Custom area, Gidan Dambe, Bakin Kasuwa, and Bakin Asibiti General.
“These areas are still exposed. Key roads like the one behind Gidan Madara linking Bulabulin, a known flood hotspot, remain unrepaired. Some bridges damaged last year are still untouched, while others — like the one near Sheraton Hotel in Abujan Talakawa — are being repaired at a frustratingly slow pace,” he stated.
Dantani also underscored the need for adequate preparation to avoid the chaotic response seen during last year’s floods. “Relief materials either didn’t reach the victims or were insufficient. The distribution process lacked transparency, coordination, and fairness. We cannot afford to repeat these mistakes,” he warned.
He then outlined a list of urgent actions the Borno State Government must take to prevent another tragedy: Reconstruction of damaged bridges, including the Monday Market Bridge, Gwange Bridge, and the Gidan Madara–Bulabulin link, reinforcement of Alau Dam and other critical water infrastructure to prevent further collapse, deployment of a reliable early warning system in partnership with NEMA and relevant agencies, public education and sensitization campaigns on evacuation and safety protocols, pre-positioning of emergency relief supplies in at-risk communities and IDP camps, desilting and clearing of blocked drainages across flood-prone areas in Maiduguri and beyond.
Dantani concluded with a strong appeal for leadership, accountability, and compassion: “The people of Borno are already grappling with insecurity, poverty, and displacement. A second flood disaster of the same magnitude would be unbearable. This is no longer just about infrastructure — it’s about lives, dignity, and the future of our state.”
“The signs are clear. The warnings have been issued. We cannot afford another year of unpreparedness. No amount of aid can undo the loss of life, and no relief package can restore a destroyed home. The time to act is now. Let 2025 be the year we choose preparedness over pity, prevention over reaction, and responsibility over neglect,” he urged.