No fewer than eight persons have reportedly died of a havoc-wreaking flood at the Enohia Itim community in the Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The flood, PUNCH Metro gathered on Monday, which happened on August 5, also sacked over 800 farmlands.
In a statement on Monday, the Public Relations Officer of the Council, Mr. Sunday Nkama, stated that the tragic incident occurred at a plantain plantation in the area, claiming eight lives and leaving over 800 farmlands destroyed.
According to him, out of the eight people who lost their lives to the flood, three bodies have been recovered, while five are still missing, confirming that three children were among those who lost their lives.
It said the ugly incident was a consequence of a severe rainfall that led to a flood disaster, causing widespread destruction.
The statement reads, “Confirming the incident, the councilor representing the good people of Itim Ward in Afikpo Legislative Council, Francis Abani Okpani, disclosed that out of the eight people who lost their lives to the flood, three bodies have been recovered while five are still missing and that three children were part of those who lost their lives.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Afikpo Council, Timothy Nwachi, has expressed sadness over the incident and extended condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.
He assured the residents of government’s support and pledged to collaborate with relevant state and federal agencies to provide humanitarian assistance and timely relief to those affected.
Recalling that the Federal Ministry of Environment had predicted Afikpo as one of the areas in Nigeria likely to experience flooding, the council chairman implored the people of Afikpo to incorporate climate change projections into flood-risk management plans.
He also urged them to ensure that their drainage systems are effective and to keep their drains and waterways clear of debris to prevent blockages.
PUNCH.
