A 17-year-old student, Ifeanyichukwu Osuji, has died after he was swept away by floodwaters following heavy rainfall in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The tragic incident occurred last Thursday in the Umu-Ebeleke, Umuosia and Graceland Phase 3 areas of Michael Robinson after persistent rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday submerged several parts of the community.
Speaking to journalists, the victim’s father, Osuji, said the family had evacuated their home due to the flooding but his son returned to retrieve some clothes they had left behind.
According to him, the teenager was swept away by the floodwaters while attempting to return.
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Osuji described the death of Ifeanyichukwu, his only son and an SS3 student, as a devastating loss to the family.
He appealed to the Rivers State Government to urgently address the recurring flooding in the area, saying it would be the only consolation for the family following the tragedy.
The grieving father also recalled that a similar flood-related incident claimed the life of a 13-year-old child in the same community about two years ago, underscoring the need for lasting flood control measures.
Residents have continued to call on relevant authorities to improve drainage infrastructure and implement measures to prevent further loss of lives and property during the rainy season.
