A devastating flood has struck Enohia Itim community in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, claiming the lives of eight people and destroying more than 800 farmlands, including a large plantain plantation.
The incident occurred on Friday, August 1, 2025, following persistent rainfall that overwhelmed the area.
Confirming the tragedy, the Councilor representing Itim Ward in the Afikpo Legislative Council, Hon. Francis Abani Okpani, revealed that three of the recovered bodies were children, while five other victims remain missing.
He noted that the Federal Ministry of Environment had earlier identified Afikpo as one of the Nigerian communities at high risk of flooding this year.
“I had previously advised our people to integrate climate change projections into flood-risk management plans,” Okpani stated. He urged residents to maintain functional drainage systems, regularly clear waterways, and prevent blockages to reduce the risk of similar disasters in the future.
The Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Hon. Timothy Nwachi, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extensive damage to livelihoods. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of the council’s support.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident. As a government, we will work closely with relevant state and federal agencies to provide humanitarian assistance and timely relief to those affected,” Nwachi pledged.
He also appealed to residents still living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer locations, warning that the unrelenting rains could trigger further flooding, as forecast by environmental authorities.
Authorities are continuing rescue and recovery operations while assessing the extent of damage to farmlands and infrastructure. Community leaders and government officials have stressed the need for proactive disaster management measures to prevent future tragedies.