A tragic flooding incident in Ugwueke, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, has claimed the life of a 37-year-old man identified as Ejiuwa, leaving families devastated and hundreds displaced. The flood, which swept through the community after heavy rainfall, caused widespread destruction, pulling down houses, drowning livestock, and destroying farmlands. Some homes were submerged up to their rooftops, rendering them uninhabitable and leaving residents stranded.
Ejiuwa, a trader, drowned while returning to his village from the market. He was declared missing shortly after the rain began, prompting villagers to launch a search operation. His lifeless body was later recovered from the floodwaters, confirming the worst fears of his family and neighbors. A local source revealed that Ejiuwa’s wife is pregnant with their first child, adding emotional pain to the tragedy.
The disaster has left approximately 700 people homeless and without food, according to affected residents. Mr. Gideon Okorie, one of the victims, appealed for urgent intervention from both the Federal Government and the Abia State Government. “We are homeless, hungry and exposed to possible disease outbreaks,” he said, highlighting the dire conditions facing survivors.
Another resident, Promise Chijioke, shared her distress after receiving news that her father’s house had collapsed due to the flood. “This is too much,” she said, reflecting the growing despair among community members. The relentless rains have not only destroyed property but also disrupted livelihoods, with farms and crops washed away, threatening food security for many families.
Despite the severity of the situation, the Abia State Ministry of Environment, Abia State Emergency Management Agency, and other relevant government agencies had not issued official statements at the time of this report. This lack of immediate response has raised concerns among locals who are struggling to cope with the aftermath.
As the community grapples with loss and displacement, calls for humanitarian aid and emergency relief continue to grow. The incident underscores the vulnerability of rural communities to extreme weather events and highlights the need for better disaster preparedness and response mechanisms in Nigeria’s flood-prone regions.
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