How Borno Flood Made Us Millionaires – Fishermen

Post-Flood Fishing Boom Creates New Wealth for Maiduguri Fishermen

Maiduguri, Borno State – In the aftermath of the devastating flooding in Maiduguri and its surrounding areas, some fishermen and fish traders have found a silver lining, capitalizing on an unexpected surge in fish availability that has transformed their fortunes.

According to a Report by ThePunch from the Kwoshebe region of Mafa Local Government on Sunday, where it was evident that local residents—comprising children, women, and young people—were actively engaged in creative fishing methods such as using bait traps and nets to capture large quantities of fish from the flooded waters.

“I must admit, I’ve never experienced a month like this for fishing,” shared fish dealer Abdullahi Dahiru. He explained that he primarily acts as a middleman, purchasing fish directly from local fishermen as they bring their catches to shore. “The prices fluctuate based on size; we buy at wholesale rates and then sell at varying prices in town,” Dahiru explained. He mentioned how basins for transporting fish ranged in price, with options costing 12,000, 7,000, and even 18,000 naira. “While I can’t specify our selling prices in town, I can assure you that this business is lucrative.”

Another dealer, Kabiru Muhammed, noted that access to fishing areas improved significantly as floodwaters retreated. “Since the waters started to recede, I’ve been making multiple trips here with two vehicles to load up on fish, selling out each day. My profits have doubled, and we’re striving to maximize our haul before the waters fully recede,” Kabiru stated. He revealed that the financial windfall had at one point made him a millionaire. “Alhamdulilah, even now, we continue to gather fish to help offset our losses from the flooding,” he added.

For many local fishermen and women, this period of flooding has unexpectedly turned into a profitable endeavor. A fisherman, Adamu Aji, remarked, “My family and I have made fishing our daily occupation. I come in the morning to check my overnight nets, while my son participates in baiting. By day’s end, we sell our catch to dealers who arrive in vehicles.” Aji expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We’ve never had such a prolific catch; you can’t leave your nets overnight without returning to find plenty of fish. Almost every bait thrown into the water catches something, making this a truly prosperous time for us.”

Fati Muhammad, a mother of two, shared how her lifestyle has improved since the floodwaters rose. A seasoned fish trader, she remarked, “In the past, fishing was less profitable due to insufficient rainfall, but now, the situation has changed drastically. Some days, I take home 7,000 naira, while on others, it’s around 5,000, depending on how much I manage to catch. For the past three weeks, this endeavor has been beneficial to us, albeit not without its challenges.”

As the community continues to recuperate from the flooding, many locals are leveraging the surge in fish availability, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity.