Nkechinyere Ewa
No fewer than 134 families have been displaced after a devastating flood swept through Akaeze and other communities in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, destroying homes, farmlands and household property.
The disaster, which occurred on Wednesday, September 23, left residents struggling to find shelter as floodwaters submerged houses, rice, yam and potato farms, while also disrupting commercial activities in the area.
Some residents described the flooding as the worst they had witnessed in their lifetime, with several families forced to abandon their homes and seek refuge elsewhere.
The Ebonyi State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chukwuma Igwe, who led a delegation to the affected communities on Thursday, said the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, had released N5 million as immediate assistance to the victims.
Igwe said N2 million of the fund would support victims in Akaeze, while the balance would be channelled to other affected communities after further assessment.
He said 54 affected families had so far been captured in Akaeze, while the total number of victims could rise as assessments continued in other communities.
“My people, I’m not happy. I don’t have to hide it. It’s a thing of tears that this kind of thing can happen at this time,” Igwe said.
He stressed, however, that the PDP’s intervention was not a replacement for government assistance, calling on the state and Federal governments and emergency management agencies to urgently come to the aid of the affected residents.
“We are not in government yet. Our own is to condole with you and sympathise with you. The main intervention is supposed to come from the government,” he said.
The PDP spokesman in the state, Darlington Onwe, described the incident as a major humanitarian crisis, saying the extent of the destruction required a coordinated response beyond immediate relief.
He said assistance would be needed to rebuild destroyed houses, restore agricultural livelihoods and address factors responsible for the recurring flooding.
Also speaking, the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ohanivo Federal Constituency, Engr. Felix Ogbonna Igboke, said the delegation was sent by Odii to assess the damage and provide immediate support to affected residents.
At Amaegbu Umobo, Akaeze, the community chairman, Abia Okoro Abia, said more than 54 victims had so far been identified, with several houses and farms destroyed.
One of the victims, Ochude Chukwu, said his house, popularly known as Udensi House, was pulled down by the flood, while his rice farm and other belongings were also destroyed.
Chukwu said he had never experienced such a volume of floodwater since childhood, adding that he had been forced to relocate with his wife and three children.
“I am calling on the government to come and help us and rescue my family from this situation,” he pleaded.
Another resident, Uzoma Chukwu, said he woke up at about 3am and discovered that floodwater had entered and submerged their homes.
In Ivo Agbaleka and adjoining communities, Okechukwu Uwaezioke said the flood disrupted movement and commercial activities, with water entering the Ivo Market.
“Even in the market, water entered inside. People from other villages could not come to the market. We need government help,” he said.
Okpe Favour Chidinma said more than 20 houses were affected in her community, forcing some displaced residents to seek alternative accommodation.
Another victim, Chinyere Irem, said the flood destroyed household belongings, including his wife’s property, bed, chairs and telephone, as well as his rice, potato and other crops.
He estimated his losses at between N8 million and N20 million, saying the destruction on his farm was particularly severe.
The affected communities, including Amaegbu Umobo, Umuewodo Ndiachi Umuobo Akaeze and Umuezaka Ezeukwu Akaeze, appealed to the Ebonyi and Federal governments to urgently provide relief materials and emergency assistance.
They also called for a technical assessment of the affected areas and long-term measures to address the causes of flooding and prevent a recurrence.