Two persons have been feared dead after a heavy downpour on Friday afternoon triggered flooding in the Eligbolo area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The victims — seventeen-year-old Emmanuel Peter, a shoe cobbler, and his sixteen-year-old nephew, Miracle Peter, a secondary school student — were reportedly swept away by the floodwaters. Both were residents of the Eligbolo community.
Narrating the tragic incident, Mr. Peter Ekpo, father and grandfather of the victims, said the older boy, Emmanuel, drowned while attempting to rescue Miracle, who had been submerged by the surging waters.
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According to him, the tragedy struck shortly after the boys had helped an elderly woman cross the flooded area. Miracle’s slippers reportedly fell off, and while trying to retrieve them, he slipped and was carried away by the current. Emmanuel drowned while trying to save him.
Mrs. Onyinyechi Peter, mother of Miracle, expressed shock and grief over the incident that claimed the lives of her son and brother.
In his account, Francis Peter, the elder brother and uncle of the deceased, said the body of Emmanuel was discovered on Sunday morning across the Eliozu community drainage, while efforts were still ongoing to recover Miracle’s remains.
He appealed to the local and state governments to assist in recovering the remaining body and to support the family with burial arrangements.
