Metro

Flood Submerges Houses In Anambra Communities

Published

12 months ago

October 31, 2024

Many houses located in flood-prone communities in five different local government areas across Anambra State have been submerged by flood following the rising water level from the River Niger and other related water activities.

Five local government areas have been affected by the flood including the Anambra West, Anambra East, Ogbaru, Awka North and Ayamelum local government areas.

Videos and pictures currently trending on social media show residents, including children wading through the waters, with submerged houses, markets, churches, schools, and other private and public facilities.

In one of the videos, a resident in one of the badly hit communities of Mmiata-Anam, Anambra West LGA, identified as Nnoru Anaekwe, narrated how residents of the community now paddle or ride in wooden canoes to their destinations, as major parts of the community and the local government area have been flooded.

One of the videos also showed when the Deputy Local Government Chairman of the Anambra West Local Government Area, Mrs Edith Ndive, was riding in a wooden canoe to her house.

Another video also captured some flood-submerged school buildings, as well as children paddling canoes and swimming in the flood.

In 2023 over 40 people reportedly died in a boat mishap that occurred along the Mmiata-Anam river, Anambra West LGA, when their boat hit a bridge and capsized in the waters.

The boat hit the bridge as a result of the rising water level. The victims of that tragedy were mostly women and children who were escaping to safer ground.

When contacted on the development, on Thursday, the State Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odimegwu, said the state government and relevant authorities were aware of the situation and were already providing necessary interventions.

Odimegwu said the water level had risen in the past few weeks, noting that the situation is being monitored.

He said, “The Anambra State Government Flood Management Team with personnel from NEMA, SEMA, International Organisation for Migration and the Red Cross Society are moving around collecting data on the situation at the Internally Displaced Persons camps.

“The state government has provided some interventions and relief materials so far to the people, with over 27 camps so far activated.

“No fewer than five local government areas have so far been affected by the flood, which include the Anambra West, Anambra East, Ogbaru, Awka North, and Ayamelum local government areas.”

According to him, the state government is better prepared for the flood, adding that the Ministry and the entire Flood Management Team have been issuing early warning signals almost every two days, showing the water level is rising.

The commissioner said the state received relief materials, including about 2,400 cartons of food items from Bank of Industries, adding that the food items comprised noodles, vegetable oil, Semovita, flour, salt and sugar.

He said these materials were distributed on Tuesday to the five local governments under threat at the moment.

Although he could not ascertain the total number of displaced persons so far, the commissioner said that the data were being generated, as the missions have been moving around the area since Tuesday.

He added, “Water level has risen in the past few weeks. We are monitoring the situation. Meanwhile a team of ANSG Flood Management Team with those from NEMA, SEMA, IOM, Red Cross, are moving around collecting data of the situation at the IDP camps.

“Because of early warning signals, we have been issuing out signals every two days displaying the water levels as it changes, we were better prepared. Many of the residents have moved to higher grounds and sorted shelter with their friends and relations. Others are at IDP camps.

“We have activated 27 camps. And the camps are ready to receive displaced persons as they come.

“The state has also received bags of beans, rice, noodles from Church of Jesus Latter Day Saints. These will be distributed any moment from now to the camps.

“The local government mayors are actively involved in making sure that adequate basic supplies are provided, that feeding is activated at the camps.”

Related Topics:Anambra Flood Flood flooding

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Metro

‘My Wife Accused Me Of Dating Other Women, Poured Dry Pepper On Me, My Friends’

Published

54 minutes ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

A man, Olugbenga, has approached Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking that an end be put to the 17-year-old marriage between him and his wife, Anatu, on the account of irreconcilable differences.

Olugbenga said that Anatu was always accusing him falsely of engaging in extramarital affairs and would fight him.

Oluwagbenga, in addition, said that Anatu once instigated her son from a previous marriage to hire thugs to beat him.

The plaintiff further stated that the defendant was hostile to his family members and his friends.

According to the plaintiff, the defendant once poured dry pepper on him and his friends, thus embarrassing him.

Olugbenga entreated the court for their children’s custody.

He also sought an order restraining his wife from harassing, threatening, and interfering with his private life.

Anatu was in court on the day the case was opened for hearing, and she denied all the allegations brought against her.

She refused to make an appearance on other adjourned dates.

Olugbenga testified that “My marriage to my wife has brought me nothing but shame and regret.

“I got married to Anatu in 2008. We have a Customary marriage and I paid her bride price.

“Peace deserted me the day my wife started living with me.

“Anatu is troublesome and difficult to live with.

“She was fond of causing trouble in our home and would end up fighting me.

“My wife was always suspecting me.

“She would accuse me of dating other women without having any proof.

“Anatu would turn the whole house upside down whenever she was in this mood and would cease that I had rest of mind.

“She would sometimes turn violent when fifteen and would destroy my property.

“My wife is also unfriendly.

“She hated it any time my friends came visiting and would refuse to attend to them.

“My friends and I were once discussing an important issue in my living room, and my wife rushed in, angry and shouting on top of her voice.

“She alleged that we were discussing our escapades with other women.

“Anatu, to my chagrin, ran to the kitchen, came back with a bowl of dry pepper, which she emptied on us.

“She did extend her hostile behaviour to my family members.

“My wife refused to attend the burial ceremonies of my grandmother, and likewise that of my grandfather.

“She gave no reasonable explanation for her action.

“My lord, Anatu once instigated his son from a previous marriage to hire thugs to beat me black and blue.

“I brought a divorce suit against her in a court, but I was prevailed upon by my family members and hers to drop the case.

“I sent her packing when it was obvious she was not ready to change.

“Anatu, still unrepentant, came to my house on a day that I was not around and broke my car windscreen.

“My lord, I have had enough of my wife’s atrocities.

“I pray the court to rule that we are no longer husband and wife.

“I again beg that the court grant me custody of our children.

“I have been taking good care of them since their mother left.

“I, in addition, request an order restraining him from threatening and interfering with my private life.”

The court president, Mrs O.E. Owoseni, in her judgment, stated that the defendant was given the right to defend herself, but she refused to come to court.

Rulings, Owoseni dissolved their union.
(TRIBUNE)

Metro

NAF To Close Lagos Airport Road For Fitness Walk

Published

17 hours ago

October 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force said there would be a temporary road closure in Lagos around the Murtala Mohammed Airport axis on Saturday for a 10km walk exercise by its personnel.

This is contained in a statement on Friday by the spokesperson of the NAF Headquarters Logistics Command, Lagos, Sqd. Abigail Ologun.

Ologun said that the upcoming fitness exercise is aimed at enhancing the health, well-being, and operational readiness of its personnel.

“The exercise is scheduled to commence at 6.00 a.m. and conclude by 8.00 a.m.

“During this period, certain sections of the Airport Road and adjoining routes will be temporarily closed to public vehicular movement,” she said.

Ologun said that the affected route to be closed temporarily was the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 to Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

She advised members of the public to make use of alternative routes and comply with traffic directives from the NAF and security personnel who would be on the ground to ensure safety and minimise inconvenience.

“Normal traffic flow will be restored immediately after the exercise.

“The Command assures the public that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth, safe, and hitch-free exercise.

“The Nigerian Air Force sincerely regrets any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the general public,” Ologun said.
(NAN)

Metro

NAF Announces Two-hour Road Closure In Abuja For 10km Walk

Published

18 hours ago

October 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force will on Saturday, conduct its annual 10-kilometre Walk/Jog Exercise in Abuja as part of efforts to enhance the health, fitness and operational readiness of its personnel.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Ejodame said that the exercise underscored the importance of physical fitness to military efficiency and overall mission readiness.

He said the exercise, which would commence by 6:00 am and end by 8:00 am, will take place along the service lane between Karu Bridge and Mogadishu Cantonment Bridge in the Abuja-Nyanya-Keffi expressway.

This, according to him, will lead to temporary closure of the road to vehicular movement during the period.

Ejodame said adequate arrangements had been made to ensure the safety of participants and residents, adding that normal traffic flow would resume immediately after the exercise.

He appreciated the cooperation and understanding of the public as the NAF continues to promote the well-being and effectiveness of its personnel in the discharge of constitutional duties.

(NAN)