By Abdul Kareem

Maiduguri, Nigeria – Alhaji Idris Durkwa, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Borno State, led a delegation of party members on Thursday to the palace of the Shehu of Borno, HRH Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi, to express condolences after the catastrophic floods that recently struck Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Area.

The floods, triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam on September 10, 2024, have claimed lives and destroyed property worth billions of naira.

In his address, Durkwa conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the Borno Emirate and the local populace, particularly the millions affected by the disaster. He commended the Shehu for his unwavering presence in the palace despite the floodwaters threatening the area.

“I am here with my entourage to sympathize with you and the good people of Borno State over this unfortunate incident,” Durkwa stated. “We pray that God, in His infinite mercy, will grant Aljannatul Firdaus to the souls of those who died as a result of the flood, and for the injured, a swift recovery.”

He added, “We should all take what happened as an act of Almighty Allah, even as we pray that such calamity will never happen again.”

In response, the Shehu of Borno expressed gratitude for the visit, noting the historical context of previous floods in the region. “Borno has witnessed similar incidents, particularly in 1994. The September 10th flood is devastating; it has disrupted socio-economic activities, submerging hospitals, markets, schools, and critical infrastructure,” he said.

Durkwa was accompanied by several key figures, including Dr. Hon. Midala Balami, the Member of the House of Representatives for Askira-Uba/Hawul, and Borno State PDP Chairman Alhaji Zannah Gadama, among others.