The Silent Threat Beneath Our Feet -By Esther R. Abidoye

Nobody really noticed when it started.
It began like a small crack in the ground behind a church in Bakin kogi. At that time, it didn’t seem like a serious problem. People walked freely around the area, and children played without fear. It was just part of the land—nothing to worry about.

But slowly, that small crack began to widen.
With each rainfall, it expanded until it turned into a deep gully. The ground is no longer firm, and the edges look like they could break off at any moment. During heavy rain, water rushes through the area, washing away more soil and making the erosion worse.

This erosion has now become a serious problem in the community, threatening buildings, affecting movement, and creating fear among residents—especially members of the church, where the damage is closest.

The erosion has moved dangerously close to the church building. In response, the church leader and members have started placing stones around the structure in an attempt to hold the soil and prevent a possible collapse. This temporary solution has now become a normal sight during services.

“We are just trying to manage it like this, but we don’t know how long it will last,” a church member said.

There is growing concern among worshippers. During services, some members avoid sitting close to the affected area. Whenever it rains, attention quietly shifts to the ground outside.
Last year, when I came to Maiduguri as a fresher and stayed in one of our missionary houses owned by the church, I learned more about the situation. During a previous flood incident, the church was among those that registered as affected victims.

According to reports from members, the government later provided financial assistance of about one hundred thousand naira to those affected. However, since then, no lasting solution has been implemented, and the erosion continues to worsen.

The situation is not limited to the church alone. Emergency officials have also described the flooding in Maiduguri as “terrible” and “unprecedented,” showing how serious the problem has become across the city.

The problem is also affecting residents around the area. Parents warn their children to stay away from the gully, while many people now avoid using that path altogether, especially during the rainy season.

“This place was not like this before,” an elderly resident said. “The land was strong, but now it is breaking.”

Some residents believe the erosion is caused by heavy rainfall, while others link it to water released from a nearby dam and poor drainage systems in the area.

Movement has become increasingly difficult, particularly during rainfall, when the ground becomes muddy and slippery.

For now, the erosion behind the church remains a quiet danger, slowly eating into the land and increasing fear among those who worship there.

Each time it rains, attention shifts from the service to the ground outside, as if everyone is silently asking the same question—how long will it hold?

“We are just managing it like this,” one member said, “but we don’t know how long it will last.”
If nothing is done, this silent threat may not remain silent for long.

Esther R Abidoye
200level
MASS COMMUNICATION
University of maiduguri