Two siblings have been swept away by floods following a downpour in Eligbolo community of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, while trying to assist someone who was trapped in the flood.
The two brothers, identified as Emma and Peters, were said to be between the ages of 17 and 16 as of the time of their death.
Residents of the area told Daily Trust that the incident happened on Sunday after a heavy downpour.
According to them, the siblings successfully assisted the person trapped to safety, but on their way back, Emma’s footwear slipped off, and as they tried to retrieve it, the strong current swept them away.
Meanwhile, some residents in the area blamed the tragedy on an overflowing canal along G.U. Ake Road in Obio/Akpor LGA, which they said has caused constant flooding in the area and called on the state government for assistance.
The manager of a guest house, simply identified as Augustina, said all rooms in the facility were ravaged by the floods, which damaged many items.
“I have never experienced this type of flood before in my life. Everything inside the hotel have been soaked in water. The government should come and help us,” she said.
Police spokesperson in Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident, said an investigation was ongoing, even as she condoled with the families of the boys.
