A tragic incident in Iguovbiobo community, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State, has claimed the life of Mr Augustine Ojo, a 30-year-old father of seven, after he was swept away by floodwaters while returning home on his motorcycle. The man fell into a deep gully when a makeshift wooden bridge he was crossing collapsed under the force of raging floodwaters. The bridge had been weakened by erosion caused by diverted stormwater from ongoing road rehabilitation works on the Benin–Auchi Highway.
The incident occurred as Mr Ojo attempted to cross the unstable bridge, which was constructed by residents to navigate the expanding gully that has split the community in two. Floodwaters, intensified by poor drainage from the construction site, washed away the soil supporting the bridge, causing it to give way. Despite frantic rescue efforts by local youths and villagers, the man was swept away by the fast-moving water. His body was recovered six hours later after an extensive search by community members.
A resident, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the severity of the situation, describing how the floodwaters moved too quickly for anyone to save the victim. The community’s youth leader, Augustine Evbuomwan, blamed the tragedy on the actions of a construction company working on the Federal Ministry of Works’ Benin–Auchi Road rehabilitation project. He stated that the company’s drainage channels are releasing large volumes of water directly into the community, leading to severe erosion and creating dangerous conditions for residents.
Evbuomwan highlighted that schoolchildren and adults now risk their lives daily by crossing the unstable gully on makeshift wooden bridges to reach homes, schools, and farmlands. He also alleged that repeated pleas to the construction company to fix the drainage issue were ignored, and residents were even intimidated when they raised concerns. He urged the Edo State Government and relevant authorities to intervene immediately to prevent further loss of life and property.
When contacted, Jerry Idahosa, Executive Secretary of the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EDOSEMA), said the incident had not yet been officially reported to his agency. This delay in official documentation raises concerns about the responsiveness of emergency services to such incidents in rural areas. The community now faces growing anxiety as the erosion continues to worsen, and residents fear more tragedies if no urgent action is taken.
The death of Mr Augustine Ojo serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by poor infrastructure planning and the need for accountability in public works projects. As the rainy season continues, the people of Iguovbiobo are calling for swift intervention to address the erosion and ensure their safety.
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