Metro

Flood Submerges Houses In Anambra Communities

Published

10 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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JUST IN: 10 Killed, Seven Injured As Building Collapses In Ibadan

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Metro

JUST IN: Yinka Ayefele In Tears As Fire Guts Fresh FM

Published

13 minutes ago

August 15, 2025

Editor

A fire outbreak has been reported at a popular Ibadan-based radio station, Fresh FM, at Felele area in Ibadan South-West local government area of the state capital on Friday.

The incident, which started a few hours ago, has disrupted other related activities at the station.

Newsmen could not confirm neither the cause nor extent of the damage as at the time of filing this report.

Confirming the incident in a telephone chat, the General Manager, Oyo State Fire Services, Rev Akinyemi Akinyinka said, “our men are on the ground. The situation is under control.”

Founded by popular musician and broadcaster, Yinka Ayefele, Fresh FM is one of the most listened-to radio stations in Ibadan.

Click link below to watch video:

https://cdn.pmnewsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4YarRfs4-AQPEpS7eh4Sj40BSksJ46sTcwVZZAOsq-ibfVmfuQPhOk5ETRyO-ynZLu4qMgK2n6JR220C0oTevEDxrkfItsdBP66n3H7KR0u2_EYfLrs2ZsQ.mp4?_=1

Metro

Lagos Woman Remanded For False Foreign Currency Declaration

Published

1 day ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded Ifunanya Phil-Olumba in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over allegations of falsely declaring and failing to declare foreign currency totaling $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had preferred three counts against the defendant, accusing her of making false declarations to the Nigeria Customs Service and failing to declare foreign currency, contrary to Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At the resumed proceedings, before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, the prosecution, led by Okezie Chineye, called two witnesses.

The first prosecution witness, an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs. Stella Ogar, told the court that the defendant was intercepted during inward clearance from the United Kingdom.

According to Ogar, the defendant declared only CA$4,000, despite allegedly being in possession of CA$14,000, alongside other undeclared sums.

“We arrested her and handed her over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation,” Ogar testified.

The second prosecution witness, an EFCC operative, Felicia Paul, confirmed that the defendant was handed over to the commission by the customs.

She stated that the defendant was interrogated and opted to make a written statement, which the prosecution sought to tender in evidence.

However, defence counsel, Edwin Anikwem, objected to the admissibility of the statement, contending that it was not obtained voluntarily and was made without the presence of counsel, contrary to legal requirements.

However, Justice Dipeolu adjourned further hearing to August 19 for continuation of the trial.

The EFCC alleged that on July 22, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, the defendant falsely declared the sum of $4,000 while in possession of $14,567; failed to declare CA$40; and falsely declared £1,000 while in possession of £1,030.

According to the anti-graft agency, the offences committed contravened Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Metro

Two Varsity Students Die In Bayelsa Road Crash

Published

1 day ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

A head-on collision between a truck and a commercial tricycle on the Yenagoa/Amassoma Road, Bayelsa State, has claimed the lives of two students from Niger Delta University, Amassoma.

The accident which occurred on Wednesday also left other passengers of the ill-fated tricycle critically injured.

Residents attributed the accident to absence of road signs and overspending by drivers as the crash occurred at a bend on the road.

The truck negotiated the bend at high speed, lost control and hit the tricycle at top speed, crushing it.

A trader, Godspower Okilo told The PUNCH on Thursday that the truck driver was moving too fast, and by the time he realised the danger, it was already too late.

He said, “The Keke (tricycle) had no chance of escaping the danger because the tipper was already close to it.
“We’ve been complaining about reckless truck drivers on this road for years, but nothing changes.

“The dangerous impact left the tricycle damaged beyond recognition. Good Samaritans rushed to the scene, pulling survivors from the wreckage and transporting the injured to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa.

“The bodies of the deceased were later evacuated to a nearby morgue.

“This incident has renewed calls for stricter traffic enforcement, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the State Police Command should intensify patrols, introduce speed breakers, and conduct regular safety checks on heavy-duty vehicles.”

Another resident of the area, Mrs. Ebike Ekain, said if the appropriate authorities do not act now, more lives will be lost to accidents in the nearest future.

The Yenagoa/Amassoma Road is without doubt the most dangerous road in Bayelsa State due to the number of accidents that occur every year.
The reconstruction of the stretch from the Etegwe Roundabout to Tombia Community resulted in several turns which motorists do not consider as they often drive at dangerous speeds.

The Federal Road Safety Commission usually dispatches an ambulance to the road which is stationed at Tombia Community and sometimes at the roundabout leading to Agudama-Ekpetiama Community.

Spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, DSP Musa Muhammad, who confirmed the accident, said investigation is ongoing to unravel the cause of the accident.

“Yes, an accident happened there and we are investigating the causes of the accident,” he stated.