Photo: Unrelated photo of a flooded community
By Deborah Nnamdi
Two teenage brothers, Miracle Peters (16) and Emma Peters (17), have drowned in a flood following a heavy downpour in the Eligbolo community of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, October 12, when the siblings, children of Mrs. Onyinyechi Peters, reportedly tried to rescue a person trapped by the floodwaters. According to eyewitnesses, the boys successfully helped the person to safety but were swept away by the strong current while attempting to retrieve a missing slipper.
Their distraught mother recounted the heartbreaking moment to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday.
“I came back and asked where they were. One of my neighbours said someone had called them to help. They went with the neighbour to assist a person crossing into their house. After helping the person, my son’s slippers slipped off. People told them to leave it, but they tried to pick it up, and the water carried both of them away,” she said tearfully.
She added that another boy who was with them ran back to alert others, but by the time help arrived, it was too late.
Residents of Eligbolo blamed the recurring floods on a poorly maintained canal along G.U. Ake Road, which often overflows during rainfall. They called on the state government to intervene.
A female resident who spoke anonymously said, “Every time it rains, the canal overflows and floods our homes. We have lost properties and now lives. The government should please deepen the canal to allow proper water flow.”
Another resident, Augustina, who manages a guest house in the area, lamented the destruction caused by the flood. “All our rooms were submerged. Our generator, speakers, and fridge were destroyed. I have never experienced this kind of flood before,” she said.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, described the deaths as “pathetic,” adding that an investigation was ongoing.
“Yes, I’m aware of the incident. Because of the flood, we lost two children. It’s very painful losing two sons from the same family. We condole with the family, and the police are investigating the matter,” she stated.
The tragedy occurred barely two days after the Kano State Fire Service reported the drowning of two children in Tudun Wada Local Government Area and the recovery of a man’s body from a well in Jaba Masaka Shago Tara.
