A devastating flood in Minna, Niger State, has claimed the lives of two children. Leaving the Tunga community in deep mourning. The incident occurred on Tuesday following heavy rainfall that caused severe flooding across the area.
According to eyewitnesses, a nine-year-old girl and her 11-year-old brother had been sent to the Tunga Market. About two kilometers from their home, to buy ingredients for soup. Although the rain had been light earlier in the day. It intensified suddenly while they were returning home, causing widespread flooding and overflowing of drainages.
Reports reveal that the girl, the only daughter among three children, slipped and fell into a flooded drainage. Despite her brother’s desperate cries for help, nearby residents could not intervene due to the overwhelming force and volume of the floodwaters. Helpless, they watched as the girl was swept away.
The young boy quickly ran back home to inform their parents of the tragic incident. Hours later, the girl’s father was contacted and asked to identify her body, which was discovered at a tunnel on Mandela Street over five kilometers from where she fell. Shockingly, alongside her remains was the lifeless body of another unidentified young boy who also perished in the flood.
Speaking on the tragedy, Hussaine Ibrahim, spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), expressed deep sorrow and confirmed that the agency had not been informed prior to the discovery. He added that NSEMA officials would visit the bereaved family to gather more details and offer support.
This heart-wrenching incident underscores the dangers posed by uncontained urban flooding and the urgent need for improved drainage infrastructure in flood-prone areas. Residents continue to call for preventive measures to avoid future loss of innocent lives during heavy rains.
