Nearly two years after the devastating flood that submerged large parts of Maiduguri and displaced more than two million residents, affected communities are raising concerns over what they describe as inadequate relief and the non-payment of compensation to thousands of victims.
Speaking in an interview with The News Chronicle on Monday, a youth leader from the Old Maiduguri area, who requested anonymity, alleged that many victims affected by the September 2024 flood disaster have not received any meaningful assistance despite the huge donations reportedly received by the government for flood relief efforts.
According to him, thousands of displaced residents whose homes and properties were destroyed by the flood are still struggling to rebuild their lives.
“By September this year, it will be almost two years since the flood disaster occurred, yet thousands of victims have not received any compensation or assistance from either the state or federal government,” he said.
The community leader claimed that government officials compiled data on more than 11,000 flood victims, but only a small fraction of those affected allegedly received financial support.
“The state government collected data of over 11,000 flood victims, but those who actually received relief assistance are not up to 1,000 people. You can go around and ask five or ten people in affected communities, and what you will hear is that only one or two persons received any relief money,” he alleged.
He further claimed that while the Borno State Government reportedly received billions of naira in donations and support for flood victims, many residents received little or nothing.
“Some people received N100,000, others got N150,000, while the highest amount some beneficiaries received was about N400,000. But many victims did not receive anything at all,” he stated.
The youth leader also noted that several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) visited affected communities, registered victims, and distributed assistance. However, he alleged that a significant number of residents were left out.
“NGOs came and registered victims and gave out money, but the majority of affected people still did not get anything. It is not only government assistance that failed to reach many victims,” he said.
He called on the Borno State Government to provide adequate support to enable displaced families rebuild their homes and return to their communities.
“What we want from the government is assistance that will help victims reconstruct their houses. Some people have abandoned their homes and relocated to other areas because they cannot afford to rebuild,” he said.
According to him, local government authorities had previously promised to address the concerns of victims, but no concrete action has been taken.
“The Local Government Chairman told us they would look into the issue, but up till now nothing has happened. We don’t know what is causing the delay,” he added.
The youth leader further alleged that members of the flood relief committee informed some victims that payments were delayed due to account-related issues. He said many of those affected had since corrected their account details but were still waiting for assistance.
“The committee told some victims that there were problems with their bank accounts. Those people corrected their account details and submitted the necessary documents, but until now they have not received any payment,” he claimed.
He appealed to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to investigate the activities of the flood relief committee and ensure that deserving victims receive the support allocated to them.
“A lot of people did not receive money, and the amount given to some beneficiaries is not enough to buy building materials, let alone rebuild a house,” he said.
Similar complaints were also raised by residents of Kofa Biyu and Gwange communities in Maiduguri.
Some residents who spoke to The News Chronicle on condition of anonymity due to security concerns alleged that no one in their immediate neighbourhoods had received compensation from either the state or federal government.
Several residents described Kofa Biyu as one of the communities worst affected by the flood, saying many families continue to face hardship and displacement nearly two years after the disaster.
The allegations have fueled growing public concern over the management and distribution of relief funds meant for flood victims.
Some affected residents are demanding greater transparency regarding donations and assistance reportedly provided by government agencies, private organisations, and humanitarian partners following the disaster.
As questions continue to emerge from affected communities, residents are calling on relevant authorities to publish detailed records of relief disbursements and ensure that all verified victims receive the support needed to recover from one of the worst flooding incidents in Maiduguri’s recent history.
