By Erewunmi Peace

At least eight residential buildings have collapsed following a torrential downpour that swept through Maiduguri and surrounding areas in the early hours of Wednesday.

The heavy rainfall, which lasted over three hours, resulted in severe flooding that submerged roads, homes, and even parts of a graveyard in the Jere Local Government Area. Residents woke up to flooded streets, structural damage, and widespread panic as floodwaters rapidly rose.

Eyewitnesses reported that the affected buildings were located in flood-prone areas and had shown signs of structural weakness prior to the incident. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were recorded as most residents managed to evacuate in time.

A local resident, Musa Lawan, described the situation as “a wake-up call” for the government to address persistent drainage and infrastructure issues. “This is not the first time we are seeing floods, but this time, the damage is serious. Eight buildings in just one night is too much,” he said.

Emergency response teams have been deployed to assess the damage, assist displaced residents, and begin clearing debris from the affected zones. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and avoid water-logged structures.

Meanwhile, the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) says it is working with community leaders to provide temporary shelter and relief materials to those affected by the collapse and flooding.

This incident adds to growing concerns about the impact of climate change and inadequate urban planning on communities in northern Nigeria, where seasonal floods continue to pose a recurring threat.