At least 12 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 800 farmlands were submerged following a devastating flood that struck a plantain plantation in Enohia Itim, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The disaster, which occurred on Friday, August 1, 2025, was triggered by torrential rainfall that caused widespread flooding, displacing residents and destroying crops. The impact has left families mourning their loved ones and farmers counting heavy losses.
Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Engr. Timothy Nwachi, confirmed the incident in a statement, expressing deep sympathy to the bereaved families. He pledged that the local government would work closely with relevant state and federal agencies to provide humanitarian assistance and relief materials to victims.
“We express sadness over the unfortunate incident and use this medium to extend our condolences to the families that lost their loved ones,” Nwachi said. “As a government, we will support and collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure timely relief and take preventive measures to avoid a recurrence.”
Nwachi also appealed to residents living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer ground, warning that persistent heavy rains could trigger more flooding, as forecasted by meteorological agencies.
The Councillor representing Itim Ward in the Afikpo Legislative Council, Hon. Francis Abani Okpani, provided further details, revealing that of the 12 confirmed fatalities, only three bodies have been recovered so far, while nine remain missing. He said three children were among the victims.
Okpani noted that the Federal Ministry of Environment had previously listed Afikpo among the high-risk flood areas in Nigeria for 2025, stressing that he had earlier urged residents to factor climate change projections into local flood risk management plans.
“I continue to appeal to our people to maintain effective drainage systems and to ensure waterways are kept clear of debris,” Okpani said. “Blocked drains only worsen the severity of flooding when heavy rains come.”
The incident has left the community in shock, with hundreds of farmers facing significant economic hardship due to the loss of crops and farmland. Relief efforts are expected to begin in the coming days.
