NEWS
ABA NORTH MAYOR MOURNS TWO VICTIMS SWEPT AWAY BY FLOOD AT ARIARIA, COMMENDS RESCUE EFFORTS
The Executive Mayor of Aba North Local Government Area, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke, has expressed deep sorrow and extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of Chinaza Chigozie, 10, and Chigozie Chima, 29, who were swept into a drainage channel at Uku Mango Junction, Ariaria, in Aba North Local Government Area of Abia State, following a heavy downpour on Sunday evening.
The tragic incident, which occurred at about 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2026, has thrown the affected families and residents of the community into mourning, as frantic search efforts to recover the victims continued into Monday night without success.
According to accounts surrounding the incident, Chinaza Chigozie was reportedly sent on an errand by her mother when she fell into the drainage channel amid the heavy flow of floodwater caused by the downpour.
In a courageous attempt to save the young girl, Chigozie Chima, a neighbour known to her in the area, immediately rushed to her rescue. Unfortunately, the rescue attempt ended in tragedy as he was also dragged into the fast-flowing drainage channel.
The unfortunate development has sparked concern among residents and community members, highlighting the dangers posed by overflowing drainage channels during heavy rainfall and the urgent need for caution around flood-prone areas.
Reacting to the incident, Mayor Iheke expressed profound sadness over the loss of the two residents, extending his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and praying for strength and comfort for them during this difficult period.
The Mayor acknowledged the pain and emotional trauma the families are experiecing and assured them of his sympathy and concern as efforts continue to locate the missing victims.
In response to the tragedy, a coordinated search and recovery operation was launched on Monday, October 26, involving the Abia State Fire Service, the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), security agencies, community leaders, traders, concerned Abians and other relevant stakeholders.
Personnel and representatives of the Aba Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Nigerian Army, Abia State Homeland Security and Operation Crush also joined the operation, working alongside other responders and members of the public.
The search commenced at about 8 a.m. on Monday and continued throughout the day, with rescuers and volunteers making concerted efforts to locate the victims. Despite the extensive operation, which lasted until approximately 11 p.m., the bodies of the two victims had yet to be recovered as of Monday night.
Mayor Iheke commended the various agencies, community leaders, traders, volunteers and concerned residents who participated in the search, acknowledging their commitment and collective efforts in responding to the unfortunate incident.
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to the risks associated with heavy rainfall and fast-flowing water around drainage channels, particularly in densely populated commercial areas such as Ariaria, where residents and traders frequently move about their daily activities.
As the search for the missing victims continues, the incident serves as a painful reminder of the need for heightened public awareness and caution during heavy downpours, especially around open gutters and drainage systems carrying large volumes of floodwater.
The Aba North Local Government Area leadership remains concerned about the incident and shares in the grief of the affected families and the wider community as efforts to recover the victims continue.