The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garbai Elkenemi, has been forced to leave his palace due to heavy flooding.
Similarly, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital has been overtaken by flood going by viral videos on X on Tuesday.
Floodwaters submerged the Palace of Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garbai Elkenemi, and other parts of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state on Tuesday morning.
The flood submerged residential quarters, roads and bridges, making many areas in the metropolis inaccessible.
Although the monarch is currently taking refuge at the Government House, but residents of the affected areas are trapped in the disaster as they struggle to rescue their properties and lives.
The affected residents, worst hit by the natural disaster, spoke with the press on Tuesday and shared their greatest fear.
Residents disclosed that Shehu had left his palace for the government house, where he is currently taking refuge.
The flood submerged residential quarters, roads and bridges, making many areas in the metropolis inaccessible.
A NAN correspondent who went around the metropolis reports that the flood submerged strategic areas, including parts of the Shehu of Borno Palace, Maiduguri Central Market and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Other areas badly hit included the GRA, Maiduguri Zoo, College of Nursing, College of Agriculture and School of Health Technology, among others.
Many residents were seen evacuating basic items to areas considered relatively safer, with some youths erecting sandbags to prevent water from entering their quarters.
The state government has yet to issue official figures for casualties, but it has ordered the closure of public and private schools for two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, has advised residents to follow evacuation routes to ensure safety.
A resident of Kofar Shehu told The Punch on Tuesday that: “This is shocking! I have never witnessed this before.
“Even the Shehu has left his palace to the Government House.”
One of the victims, identified as Usman Babagana, said there were early warnings that more water may come, but residents were adamant because they had no place to go.
He stated, “We were told flood is coming. I never expected it this Way. We didn’t take it much seriously because we had nowhere to go.
Also reacting, a pedestrian who was stuck by the flood around the post office area, Buba Jibril, said:“This is the worst of it all I have witnessed since my stay in Maiduguri. I hope that this will not lead to untold hardship.”
Meanwhile, the Federal government said the flood ravaging parts of the country is a major concern and that support will be provided to affected States.
Vice President Kashim Shettima gave the assurance as directed by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday.