At least three people have died and several homes and farmlands were destroyed after a severe flood swept through Ugwueke Community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. The disaster followed torrential rainfall that began on Monday morning, September 21, and lasted roughly two days, according to residents who spoke with Legit.ng.
Residents Describe Unprecedented Destruction
Residents said they woke to widespread destruction, with crops submerged, property damaged, and the main access road into the community completely blocked, cutting off movement in and out of the area. One community member said nothing like this had happened before in Ugwueke.
“I have not seen this kind of flood ever since in this community. The flood has caused us so much pain without any help. We need government assistance through the provision of relief materials and other support,” the resident said.
Lives Lost and Basic Services Disrupted
Another resident said the disaster went beyond physical damage, disclosing that he lost a relative when the waters rose. He told Legit.ng: “It is a very terrible situation because of the flood. I lost my cousin brother in the flood, as well as two others who went to rescue people trapped in the flood.”
The resident also called on government authorities to prioritise healthcare services and potable water for the community, noting that the lack of both had made the aftermath even harder to manage.
Government Officials Respond and Pledge Support
Chijioke Chukwu, who represents the South-East on the Board of the North-West Development Commission and chairs the All Progressives Congress in Abia State, urged residents to stay calm and said relief efforts were being organised. He confirmed that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had been notified and was expected to respond.
Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and member representing Bende Federal Constituency, extended condolences to families who lost loved ones in the flood. He assured residents that both his office and the Federal Government would work to address the flooding and its impact on the community.
Broader Flood Crisis Across Nigeria
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that several states, including Kaduna, Nasarawa, Bauchi and Jigawa, have intensified campaigns to avert flood crisis. According to figures obtained from NEMA, 232 persons have lost their lives, while 121,224 others have been displaced following floods that swept through parts of the country. The flood dashboard shows that at least 339,658 people also recorded some form of losses, with 681 sustaining various degrees of injuries.
Residents of Ugwueke are now calling on the state and federal governments to urgently supply relief materials, restore access to clean water and healthcare, and take concrete steps to fix the blocked road and prevent future flooding.
