Wild animals are said to be currently on the loose in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital following the heavy flooding experienced in the state.
According to a Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the wild animals in the Shehu Sanda Kyarimi park, a popular zoo in the area are currently unknown as most of them escaped immediately the flood water overran the zoo.
The cemeteries are not also spared as they have been submerged by flood water. The Chairman of CSOs, Lake-Chad Basin, Ahmed Shehu, said;
“The Maiduguri bypass bridge is also filled and the bridge is already flooded. The zoo road is being flooded with water and it’s gushing to College Of Health Technology, Maiduguri, where students were already relocated to school of nursing. Also, the water is heading towards the commissioner of police junction through Damboa Road.
The situation is so dire. The water flooded the zoo at midnight. Though no one can tell the situation of the animals but definitely they will scamper for safety and in the process cause harm to the community.
It is the same water route that displaced people are taking, the animals will take too. Aside from wide animals escaping from the zoo, the Christians cemetery around Amb Baba Ahmed Jidda house in Old GRA has been submerged. This poses serious public health threats. Government needs to activate emergency response.”
The flood is reportedly attributed to a breakdown of the Alau Dam.