Flood Ravages Ebonyi Community, Destroys Property.

A devastating flood has destroyed houses, farmlands and property worth billions of naira across communities in the Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, leaving no fewer than 134 families homeless. The disaster struck two days ago after heavy rainfall caused the river around the community to overflow its banks. The catastrophe in Ebonyi comes barely 48 hours after a similar deluge swept through Mpu and Okpanku communities in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, killing two children from the same family and submerging no fewer than 14 villages. It was reported the Enugu flood, which began on September 20 and intensified on September 22 and 23, affected over 2,000 houses and destroyed large expanses of cultivated farmlands. Both states were among 15 states flagged by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for high risk of riverine flooding due to rising river levels, following an alert issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). In Ebonyi, the chairman of Amaegbu Village in Umuobor community, Abia Okoro Abia, described the flooding as unprecedented. “This is Amaegbu community affected by the flood because we are nearer to the river bank. This thing happened the day before yesterday,” he said. “Everywhere was filled up with flood. Even in my own house, the water is still at the roof. Even in my own room, so it has never gone.” Mr Abia, while pointing at damaged houses, said the flood had displaced several residents and destroyed valuable property. He said he had never witnessed such a disaster in the community. “It has never happened since I was born,” he said. Residents of the affected community appealed to the state and federal governments to urgently provide relief materials and take measures to address the flooding and prevent a recurrence. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, had donated N5 million as relief for victims of the flood. Mr Odii made the donation through a delegation led by the state PDP Chairman, Igwe Chukwuma, during a visit to the affected community. Mr Igwe said that over 134 families were severely affected and called on well-to-do individuals and organisations to come to the aid of the victims. Addressing victims and community leaders, the PDP candidate for Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, Igboke Felix, said the money was intended to provide immediate relief to those affected. “We are here to commiserate with you. It’s quite unfortunate, even though it is avoidable and can be corrected,” Mr Igboke said. He said the party would continue to draw the attention of relevant government agencies to the disaster to ensure further assistance reaches the victims. “The NEMA and other people will come for this intervention because it’s not a very small disaster,” he said. Mr Igboke also said Mr Odii would seek a permanent solution to the flooding problem if elected governor of Ebonyi State in 2027. “By the grace of God, when we come to office, whatever causes this environmental disaster, we are going to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he said. The Enugu flood, which occurred three days earlier, has left a trail of death and destruction that authorities are still grappling to contain. NEMA’s Enugu Operations Office conducted an on-the-spot assessment on Wednesday and confirmed that nine communities — Okpu, Ihibe, Ihuoke, Ukey, Amaeze, Ama Chara, Obiagu, Ovum and Obeagu — were affected due to torrential rainfall that resulted in the overflow of the Ivo Dam. Over 2,000 houses were affected, accessible bridges were submerged, and large expanses of cultivated farmlands were destroyed. Several families remained trapped in some affected areas, while hundreds of displaced persons took shelter at Christ Methodist Church, Ihube, Okpanku. Comrade Obinna Ogbuke, a resident of Mpu and Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Enugu State Council, described the situation as increasingly devastating. “My community, Mpu, and Okpanku community in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, I have never witnessed this kind of flood before. It is so bad and devastating,” he said. He disclosed that more than 10 buildings had collapsed as a result of the flooding. A shop owner at Afor Okpanku Market, Mrs Patricia Chukwu, said goods worth millions of naira had remained submerged for two days. “This is the worst flood that has affected Okpanku in my generation,” she said. The recurring flooding in the Aninri area has been linked to the abandoned Ivo River Dam project. The Chairman of Aninri Local Government Area, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, said flooding occurs twice yearly in some parts of the area due to the uncompleted dam. Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, Osita Ngwu, has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the abandoned project. “We cannot continue to wait while our people lose their homes, farmlands and means of livelihood every rainy season,” Mr Ngwu said. He disclosed that more than 3,000 residents had been displaced, with some taking refuge in primary schools and churches in Mpu and Oduma. The senator urged the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, NEMA and other relevant agencies to deploy emergency assistance to affected communities and begin processes for the rehabilitation and completion of the dam. The twin disasters in Ebonyi and Enugu underscore a worsening flooding crisis across Nigeria’s South-East. NEMA had earlier activated its zonal directorates and operations offices in 15 states, directing them to intensify monitoring of vulnerable communities and maintain close coordination with state and local authorities NEMA Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, urged residents living on floodplains, riverbanks and low-lying areas to relocate to safe and higher ground before conditions become critical, with special attention to children, older persons, pregnant women and persons with disabilities. As the rains continue and river levels remain high, residents in both Ebonyi and Enugu are left counting their losses — and wondering whether help will arrive before the next deluge.