We Are All From Borno

By Zayd Ibn Isah

The city of Maiduguri recently came under attack—not by insurgents, bandits, or anything of the sort, but by something much worse—the relentless force of nature. A devastating flood swept through the beautiful city, claiming lives and destroying property. While the word “attack” typically conjures images of Boko Haram’s decade-long reign of terror in the state, this time it was the waters from Alau Dam that left destruction in their wake.

I often tell my closest friends that Africa is truly a blessed continent. We don’t face natural disasters on the scale usually witnessed in Europe, America, and other continents. It just happens that the bulk of the problems our continent faces are man-made.

As such, when natural disasters occur, we are often unprepared to handle their effects. It is almost as if we forget that what we have been enjoying is God’s grace and mercy. Imagine facing earthquakes and hurricanes on top of the human-made challenges we endure daily. Wouldn’t that be, as Fela said, “double wahala for dead body”? Unlike the man-made challenges we are accustomed to, such as conflict or economic hardship, natural disasters remind us of how vulnerable we are to forces beyond our control.

And this is precisely why the gory circulating images of submerged buildings in Borno leave a bitter taste in the mouth. Men, women, and even animals are stranded with no livelihood. Families are displaced, and communities that once thrived are now grappling with the harsh reality of loss and uncertainty. The destruction of homes and farmlands only serves to deepen the wounds of a state already struggling to recover from years of insurgency.

At this point, one has to feel sorry for the indefatigable Executive Governor of Borno, who has been at the forefront of the rescue operations. Professor Zulum has been working tirelessly with security agencies to rid the state of Boko Haram insurgents, and by all indications, there has been tremendous success. But the flooding disaster presents a unique set of difficulties and demands effective solutions. I imagine that for the Governor, the people of Borno, and everyone else involved in operations following this disaster, the entire situation might at times feel like taking one step forward and ten steps backward.

This is all the more reason why we need to identify with the good people of Borno State in this difficult moment. There is a Hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) that characterizes the “Muslims” as one body, and when one part is injured, the entire body feels the pain.

Even in the Bible, there is a similar teaching: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). This passage underscores the need for solidarity in times of adversity. Whether we are directly affected by the flood or not, as fellow citizens and humans, it is our collective responsibility to support those in need.

This is not just a call for sympathy; it’s a call for action. Relief efforts must be scaled up, and support must come from all corners—government, non-governmental organizations, and private citizens alike. The people of Borno have endured more than their fair share of hardship, and now, more than ever, they need our help to rebuild their lives and communities.

So far, the support from Nigerians across religious and political divides is commendable: the World Health Organization (WHO), through its representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, has pledged technical and operational support; former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, visited Borno and donated 100 million naira to the flood victims; the Kano State Government also made a donation of 100 million naira to the state; the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, pledged a donation of ₦2 billion to assist those affected; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, paid a condolence visit to Borno and pledged his unalloyed support to the flood victims. He ordered the reconstruction of damaged police facilities. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) also ordered its medical team to conduct free medical outreach for residents of Maiduguri. There is a heartwarming outpouring of similar efforts to provide relief for victims of this crisis. The support coming from across religious, regional, and political divides goes to show the truth of the time-tested saying: what binds us together is stronger than what divides us. The rescue operations by agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and private individuals are, to me, indications that we have a system that works and people who recognize the urgency of the situation at hand. Those who died rescuing others, like the young Nigeria Customs Service personnel, Officer Ibrahim M., deserve a special place in the country’s hall of fame.

At this moment, it has become clear how much of a compassionate and discerning leader we have in our able President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In an official statement posted on the X (Twitter) account of the President, I deduced a mentality I believe concerned Nigerians should adopt in supporting victims of the flooding disaster in Borno.

In his statement, the President expressed deep sympathies to those affected, praising their strength and resilience, before assuring them of the governmentʼs commitment to alleviating their suffering. He promised support and relief to rebuild lives and restore hope, and also thanked the Governor of Borno State, traditional leaders, emergency response agencies, NGOs, and corporate organizations for their exceptional leadership and support.

According to President Tinubu, a Disaster Relief Fund has been established with immediacy to alleviate the impact of the catastrophe. Furthermore, he urged the private sector to match or exceed the Federal Governmentʼs commitment to the fund and appealed for global collaboration from international partners.

The Presidentʼs reassurances to the people of Borno rekindle my hope in humanity and our nationhood. I hope that those affected by this disaster will see themselves not merely as victims but as survivors. They should be able to get through the difficult process of restoring and rebuilding with the knowledge that the Nigerian people are standing with them in solidarity. The President’s visit came shortly after the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who hails from the state and governed it for eight years, visited to assess the extent of the damage.

Ultimately, this flood in Borno is a wake-up call, showing us that while Africa may be blessed with fewer large-scale natural disasters, we cannot afford to be complacent. A lasting solution must be implemented to prevent future breaches of the dam. There must also be a prioritization of disaster preparedness and response systems to ensure that when nature strikes, we can protect our people and their livelihoods.

It is sad that at a time when Borno State is on a path to recovery from the complexities of the humanitarian crisis caused by years of conflict, this level of destruction occurred to worsen the displacement of families and damage to valuable infrastructure. But there is hope for Borno yet, thanks to all of us who, by identifying with the enormity of the need and rising to the challenge, have become sons and daughters of Borno in this tragedy. Like all tragedies, we have the power as a collective to help in restoring the good fortune of this beautiful state.

As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said, “Borno shall once again rise above this tragedy, and together, we will OVERCOME.”

Zayd Ibn Isah can be reached at [email protected]