The Nigerian government has deployed 2,000 water pumps to assist residents of Maiduguri, Borno state’s capital in North East Nigeria, evacuate water from their flooded homes. 

Abubakar Kyari, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, disclosed this arrangement during the handover of food consignment to aid the flood-displaced residents in Maiduguri on Saturday.

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, Maiduguri experienced a devastating flood that submerged over half of the metropolis, displacing thousands of residents and resulting in an unconfirmed number of fatalities and injuries. There are fears that survivors may still be trapped in hard-to-reach areas, with more bodies likely to be discovered once the floodwaters recede.

Last week, the state government approved the return of some displaced individuals in neighbourhoods where the floodwaters had receded entirely. However, many low-lying areas remain flooded, necessitating water pumps to remove the persistent water.

Kyari said, “The approved water pumps will primarily target low-lying areas where floodwaters are stagnant, helping residents return to their homes. After that, the state will monitor the situation to ensure the pumps are also used for irrigation purposes.”

In addition to the water pumps, the federal government also delivered 200 trucks of food aid, totalling 6,000 metric tonnes, to support those displaced by the floods, according to the minister. The relief package includes 100 trailers of rice, 50 trailers of maize, 30 trailers of millet, and 20 trailers of sorghum. 

“We believe that this will go a long way in cushioning the effect and hardship that the displaced are facing now,” Kyari added. 

Aside from the immediate relief efforts, the Nigerian Agriculture Development Fund (NAD-Fund) has been tasked with supporting farmers whose lands have been devastated. Kyari emphasised the necessity of assessing the damage, stating, “We have already communicated with the Borno state government to set up a committee to recommend how best the situation could be addressed in order to enhance food production and enhance the livelihoods of our farmers.”

Governor Babagana Zulum expressed gratitude to the federal government, acknowledging their commitment to the relief of the affected communities.

Since last week, the Borno state government has received approximately ₦20 billion in donations from generous Nigerians and other subnational governments.