Flood Claims Life of Father in Edo State Community

In a tragic incident in Edo State, 50-year-old Augustin Ojo, a father of seven, was swept away by floodwaters while trying to cross a makeshift wooden bridge in Iguovbiobo Community, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area. The bridge reportedly collapsed due to the flood, which had washed away the soil supporting it.

Despite desperate rescue efforts by community members, Ojo's body was recovered six hours later. Augustin Evbuomwan, a youth leader in the community, attributed the flooding to inadequate drainage management by a construction company responsible for rehabilitating the Benin-Auchi road.

He stated that the drainage channels constructed along the highway discharged large volumes of floodwater, leading to severe erosion and posing risks to residents, especially schoolchildren. Evbuomwan called for urgent intervention from the Edo State government to address the drainage challenges and prevent further loss of life and property.

Jerri Idahosa, the executive secretary of EDOSEMA, confirmed that the incident had not yet been officially reported to the agency.