Panic has gripped residents of Maiduguri as the city’s popular Sanda Kyarimi Park, also known as Maiduguri Zoo, has been inundated with floodwater.
The park, situated in the city centre and close to a waterway, is home to a variety of wild animals, sparking fears of escapees.
According to eyewitnesses, the flooding began around 1 am on Tuesday, with water spreading to major areas, including Lagos Street, Modugari, Gwange, Monday Market, and surrounding neighbourhoods.
It was disclosed that many families have been displaced, with some forced to flee their homes.
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A resident, Kabiri Sani said:
“I was shocked to see the zoo flooded this morning.
“I fear for the safety of the animals and the community, knowing the calibre of wild animals in that zoo.”
Salamatu Mohammed, a resident of Gwange said:
“We were forced to leave our home immediately, grabbing what we could. I cannot stay in that area, knowing that animals are roaming free.”
Also, a circulating photo on social media appears to show an Ostrich that escaped from the zoo, roaming the streets near Borno ICAN’s office.
The flooding also affected critical infrastructure, including roads, government offices, markets, and the palace of the Shehu of Borno, which are currently underwater.
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