At least 286 inmates have escaped from the Maiduguri medium-security custodial center due to severe flooding in the capital city on Tuesday.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is currently in Maiduguri to assess the damage.

The spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar, confirmed that the federal government is working to evacuate the affected correctional center and ensure public safety in collaboration with other security agencies.

The Federal Government has also begun evacuating residents from flood-affected communities in Maiduguri, which has been inundated following a collapse of one of the spillways of Alau Dam.

The dam’s failure led to a significant surge of water, causing widespread flooding in areas including Shehuri, G.R.A., Gambomi, and others.

In response to the flooding, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has started providing food, shelter, and medical aid to victims, while the Borno State Government has opened Bakassi Camp to accommodate displaced persons.

“We are working, alongside the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, in providing humanitarian assistance to the distressed in the camp,” the Borno state government’s statement read.

NEMA described the situation as “unprecedented,” with over 150,000 individuals and 23,000 households affected.

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The United Nations refugee agency in Nigeria on its X account said it was the city’s worst flooding in 30 years.

“It is an unprecedented incident,” NEMA spokesman Ezekiel Manzo told AFP on Tuesday. “Some of the central parts of the city that have not witnessed flooding in so many years are witnessing it today.”

“The last three days have over 150,000 individuals with over 23,000 households affected,” said NEMA zonal coordinator Surajo Garba.

But with more locations being hit, “we are sure the figure will be much over 200,000 individuals,” Garba forecast.

“The flood, which began over the weekend and worsened in the following days, was the direct result of excess water from the Alau Dam,” said Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, who hails from Maiduguri, as he visited the area.

“The collapse of the spillways unleashed a significant surge of water downstream, causing widespread flooding in the surrounding communities,” Shettima said.

However, the number is expected to rise as more areas are impacted. Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who visited the flood-hit area, noted that the collapse of the dam’s spillways triggered the devastating floods.

The flooding has also caused damage to several city structures, including the post office and main zoo, prompting warnings of dangerous animals potentially entering communities.