Relief International Africa expresses deep grief over the tragic loss of two young lives following the devastating flood that swept through the Eligbolo axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area after a heavy downpour late last Friday afternoon.
The victims, seventeen-year-old Emmanuel Peter, a humble shoe cobbler, and his sixteen-year-old nephew, Miracle Peter, a secondary school student were both residents of the Eligbolo community. Their lives were abruptly cut short when raging floodwaters overran their neighborhood, sweeping them away before help could arrive.
This heartbreaking incident is a painful reminder of the recurring dangers of flooding across Rivers State, particularly in flood-prone areas such as the Orashi region, Ahoada, Abua/Odual, and other riverine communities. As the rainy season intensifies, many homes and farmlands are being overtaken by water, leaving families displaced, properties destroyed, and livelihoods at risk.
Relief International Africa calls on the Rivers State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other relevant authorities to take more decisive and proactive measures to address the perennial flooding challenge. It is time for urgent environmental intervention from desilting blocked drains to enforcing proper waste disposal practices and supporting affected communities with immediate relief materials.
We also urge residents to take personal responsibility for their surroundings. Citizens should clear drainages around their homes, avoid dumping refuse into water channels, and remain alert during heavy rainfall. Community vigilance and collective action can go a long way in preventing further loss of lives .
Our hearts go out to the families of Emmanuel and Miracle Peter. Their deaths should not be in vain. This tragedy must serve as a wake-up call a call for environmental consciousness, government accountability, and community solidarity in safeguarding lives and property across Rivers State.
As we mourn, we must also act because every preventable death from flooding is a reminder that our negligence today can cost another innocent life tomorrow.
Amb. Green Isaac
Executive Director,
Relief International Africa