A 12-year-old student of Federal Government College, Ohafia, Abia State, Miss Sopuruchi Ume Ibe, has been found dead after she was swept away by floodwaters during a heavy downpour in the Ebem Ohafia community.
Sopuruchi, a Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS2) student from Ndia Chukpai Compound, Mgbaga, Ebem Ohafia, reportedly went missing at about 6:00 p.m. on Friday after she was caught in the flood along Eni Njoku Road.
According to reports, the heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in parts of the community, with the girl reportedly swept away by the rushing water.
Following her disappearance, residents and other members of the community launched a search operation in an effort to locate her. However, their initial efforts did not yield any result.
Her lifeless body was eventually discovered on Saturday morning, leaving her family, friends, classmates and members of the wider Ebem Ohafia community in mourning.
Confirming the incident, the Publicity Secretary of the Ebem Ohafia Development Union (EODU), Ifeanyi Okali, described the death as tragic and unfortunate.
Okali said, “Sadly, 12-year-old Sopuruchi Ume Ibe, who was swept away by floodwaters following a heavy downpour in Ebem Ohafia yesterday evening, has been found this morning, but unfortunately, she did not survive.
“Our heartfelt condolences go to her parents, family, friends, classmates and the entire Ebem Ohafia community during this painful time.”
The incident has further raised concerns over the dangers posed by flooding in communities across Abia State, particularly during periods of intense rainfall.
The latest tragedy comes after another flood-related death was reported in Ugwueke community, Bende Local Government Area of the state, where a 37-year-old trader, identified simply as Mr Ejiuwa, reportedly lost his life while returning from the market.
The two incidents have highlighted the growing risks associated with flooding in parts of Abia State during the rainy season.
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