A recent investigation reveals that the abandonment of critical dam infrastructure in Yobe State has significantly contributed to the region's vulnerability to devastating floods, displacing thousands and destroying homes and livelihoods. The situation has been exacerbated by a series of heavy rains that have battered the area over the past months.
Over 49,000 residents have been affected by the floods, with approximately 18,000 households displaced across 408 communities. The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YSEMA) reports that at least 23,000 structures, primarily mud houses, have been damaged or destroyed. The floods have disrupted transportation networks, isolating communities and impeding relief efforts.
Historically, dams in the region were constructed to manage water flow and mitigate flooding. However, many of these structures have fallen into disrepair due to neglect and lack of maintenance. As a result, their failure to regulate seasonal river flows has led to increased flooding during heavy rains.
Inappropriate water management practices have altered the natural flow of rivers in the Komadugu Yobe Basin, leading to perennial flooding rather than seasonal inundation that communities had previously adapted to. This shift has caused ecological degradation and reduced agricultural productivity, further threatening local livelihoods.