Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Eight persons have been confirmed dead, while over 800 farmlands were destroyed in a flood disaster that ravaged a plantain plantation in Enohia Itim, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Chairman of Afikpo LGA, Timothy Nwachi, confirmed the incident.
He consoled the families of the deceased and assured them that the local government would do everything possible to prevent a recurrence.
Nwachi urged residents still living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer ground.
“We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident and we use this medium to extend our condolences to the families that lost their loved ones.
“As a government, we will support them and pledge to collaborate with relevant state and federal agencies to provide humanitarian assistance and timely relief to those affected,” he said.
The Councillor representing Itim Ward in Afikpo Legislative Council, Francis Abani Okpani, said the incident occurred on Friday, August 1, 2025.
He disclosed that of the eight people who lost their lives, three bodies have been recovered, while five victims were still missing.
He further revealed that three children were among the victims.
Okpani recalled that the Federal Ministry of Environment had earlier predicted that Afikpo was one of the areas in Nigeria likely to experience flooding.
“I had earlier implored the people of Afikpo to incorporate climate change projections into flood-risk management plans,” Okpani said.
He also urged residents to ensure they have effective drainage systems and to keep their drains and waterways clear of debris to prevent blockages.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Government has issued a warning to residents as massive flooding continues to destroy farmlands across several local government areas.
According to the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Ebonyi is listed as a high-risk flood zone.
That forecast is now playing out, as heavy rains are flooding communities and submerging farmlands, especially in Izzi, Abakaliki, and Ikwo Local Government Areas.
Farmers are currently counting their losses, with large areas planted with rice, yam, and cassava now underwater.
One of the affected residents in Abakaliki, Felix Ezeaka, called on the government to intervene quickly.
“We are begging the state government to do something about it. If we plant rice, the flood will cover it. If we plant cassava, the flood will cover it. We don’t have anything to do about it,” he lamented.
The Commissioner for Environment, Victor Chukwu, partly blamed the situation in the capital city on an incomplete drainage project by the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).
He explained that the halted project has worsened the impact of rainfall in Abakaliki.
“The second phase of the NEWMAP is called EIB NUMAP. We have designed the sites because the issue is that the water that is supposed to discharge to the river flows back to the city, as the river appears to be higher than the slope of the discharge channel.
“The state has also paid its counterpart fund. Our government graciously approved the payment for the EIB NUMAP,” he said.
Mr. Chukwu added that the government is now conducting public awareness campaigns and holding town hall meetings to guide residents on flood prevention measures.
According to him, people living in low-lying, flood-prone zones are being advised to relocate to safer locations as the rains continue.
