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Flood in Maiduguri: Why we should learn from history
Flood in Maiduguri: Why we should learn from history
By Yusuf Adamu
30 years ago, there was the same incident in Maiduguri. I can recall my days as a pupil at the Yerwa Practice Primary School. The two rivers that brought floods to Maiduguri, which are the Gadabul and Ngada rivers, have their connecting points near our school. The deepest places we used to go and swim were near the Satus Hotel, a place we called ‘Buzaye’. Our seniors are the ones that go play around that area. We that are junior classes used to go near the veterinary clinic to play because it was not as deep as the area where Satus Hotel is currently situated.
Before the government constructed the Lagos Street Bridge, people at that time used canoes for crossing to the other side and back. Also, there is a place between Gwange and Kulogumna where canoes used to ferry people across the rivers. The Custom Bridge and that of Gwange are one lane; as such, vehicles cross the bridge at a time, as it cannot take two to cross from the sides. Usually during the rainy season, the students, especially those who are living in town, are being asked to remain, while only children from GRA go to Yerwa Practice because the water usually cuts off people from either side. That is why, for me, I have classmates both at Yerwa Practice and Central Primary School. This is owing to the divide as a result of rain whenever it comes as such.
Today, the whole of the river banks are occupied by buildings due to the development of the city. People failed to check the history of these places where they buy plots and build their houses. They block the ways of the rivers, and there are no channels constructed in such a situation. One thing with rivers: they always come their way unless they are diverted. But in this situation and especially on Maiduguri, there are no such diversion or some sort of channels made in readiness for such a situation. People build indiscriminately and never remember that history has a place to play in building. This is the impact we are seeing today.
Today’s government, under the leadership of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has done well in the construction of roads and drainages in Maiduguri, which is supposed to bring ease to such a situation. But still, the people use such drainages as dumping grounds for waste. I was in Maiduguri recently, and looking at the efforts of the government, I said that with all these in place, flooding is not likely to takeover the state as it has for the last 30 years. People refused to take care of these drainages. They are not conscious of the surroundings and what is likely to happen in such a situation.
I recalled that at a point the state governor warned of indiscriminate building along the river banks and ordered the demolition of such illegal buildings, but the reaction from the people was something else. This has made the government retrace its steps towards averting such a disaster. The government, however, continued to educate the people on the need to keep their drainages open and to make ways within their communities for water passage, but they kept close ears to warning signs. If history has it 30 years ago, what makes the people think that it cannot be repeated? Why are we constantly in motion without counting the cost of motion? I think this should also be a lesson for our people to avoid in the future.
*Yusuf Adamu writes from Maiduguri
Flood in Maiduguri: Why we should learn from history
Armed bandits kill man, abduct nine in macitta village, niger state
By: Zagazola Makama
Nine people were abducted and one man killed when armed bandits attacked Macitta village in Mariga Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State late Wednesday night, sources confirmed.
Sources said that around 11:30 p.m., a large group of armed bandits entered the community via Kotonkoro District, shooting sporadically. One of the residents, Aliyu Dan Tsohon Soja, 35, was shot dead during the attack. The identities of the nine abducted victims are yet to be confirmed.
Security forces , local vigilantes, and hunters were mobilized to the area, and the body of the deceased was evacuated to the General Hospital, Bangi, for autopsy. Efforts are ongoing to track down the attackers and ensure the safe rescue of the kidnapped individuals.
Authorities have urged residents to remain alert and report any information that may assist in the rescue operations and apprehension of the bandits.
Armed bandits kill man, abduct nine in macitta village, niger state
Three children die in bush fire while grazing cattle in Mokwa, Niger state
By: Zagazola Makama
Three children lost their lives after being engulfed by fire while grazing cattle in Tungan-Noma village, Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State on Wednesday, sources confirmed.
According to sources, the children Huzairu (12), Aliru (11), and Kabiru Surajo (12) went out for cattle grazing around 12:30 p.m. and entered a deep gully in the bush.
They reportedly set dried grasses on fire in an attempt to trap small bush animals. Unfortunately, the flames spread rapidly, trapping the children and preventing their escape.
The lifeless bodies were recovered and evacuated to the General Hospital, Mokwa, for autopsy. Authorities visited the scene to assess the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The incident draw attention to the dangers children face in rural areas, particularly when engaging in outdoor activities without supervision.
Parents have been urged to exercise caution and ensure children’s safety during such activities.
Three children die in bush fire while grazing cattle in Mokwa, Niger state
Police foil kidnap attempt on Benin-Lagos expressway, rescue 14 victims
By: Zagazola Makama
Fourteen passengers, including four juveniles, were rescued after an attempted kidnap by armed gunmen along the Benin–Lagos Expressway at Isiuwa, Edo State, police sources confirmed on Wednesday.
The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m., when about 20 gunmen, divided into three groups, emerged from the bush and opened sporadic fire on moving vehicles.
The assailants attempted to attack policemen stationed at a checkpoint but were repelled by responding officers, who coordinated with the Operation Rescue Team, CP Intelligence Squad (Buffalo Team), and Nigerian soldiers.
Two Toyota Sienna vehicles were targeted. One, with registration number RSH 210 CH, was carrying seven passengers from Imo State to Ondo State, while the second, AME 211 YL, carried six passengers.
Police stormed the bush where the gunmen had taken the victims, successfully rescuing ten adults and four juveniles. The rescued included Frederick God Bless, Prosper Admijom, Oluyemi Bolu, Amoo Muyiwa, Ifoma Uchije, Daniel Chibuzo, Solomon Audu, Samuel Chibuke, Kemi Olayiwola, Ugochukwu Irozuruike, and juveniles Chidera Ochije, Augustine Ochije, Chukwuka Ochije, and Obiakor Chisom.
During the chaos, one Abba Adam, a conductor of a Howo truck with registration DED 638 XB, jumped out of his vehicle and was struck by an oncoming truck, dying on the spot. His body was recovered and deposited at Emiloju Medical Center, Okada Junction.
Three passengers are still missing, and search efforts are ongoing. Some of the rescued victims have since continued their journey safely.
Police foil kidnap attempt on Benin-Lagos expressway, rescue 14 victims
Four killed, three injured in lakurwa bandit attack on baidi village, sokoto state
Armed bandits kill man, abduct nine in macitta village, niger state
Three children die in bush fire while grazing cattle in Mokwa, Niger state
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