A 30-year-old father of seven, Augustine Ojo, has lost his life after being swept away by floodwaters in Iguovbiobo community, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State.
The incident occurred as Ojo was returning home on his motorcycle. Reports indicate he was attempting to cross a makeshift wooden bridge over a deep gully when the structure gave way after floodwaters washed away the soil supporting it. He and his motorcycle were thrown into the fast-moving flood.
Residents said community members launched an immediate rescue effort, but the victim was carried away by the raging waters. His body was eventually recovered about six hours later following an intensive search by local youths and villagers.
The community’s youth leader, Augustine Evbuomwan, attributed the tragedy to severe erosion allegedly caused by the diversion of stormwater from drainage channels constructed during the rehabilitation of the Benin–Auchi Road.
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According to him, the drainage system now directs large volumes of floodwater into the community, creating deep gullies that have divided the area and forced residents, including schoolchildren, to rely on unsafe wooden bridges to reach their homes, schools and farms.
Evbuomwan also claimed that repeated appeals to the construction company handling the road project had failed to produce a solution, alleging that residents were intimidated whenever they raised concerns.
He appealed to the Edo State Government and relevant authorities to urgently address the erosion and flooding to prevent further loss of lives and destruction of property.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EDOSEMA), Jerry Idahosa, said the incident had not yet been officially reported to the agency.
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