Three people including two kids died from a flash flood in Abuja, following a downpour. The heavy rain which caused havoc in Kuruduma and Kobi communities, also swept away houses, other properties and displaced hundreds of residents.
The heavy downpour started around 1 pm on Monday and inflicted pains and sorrow on residents of the two communities who build and live along the water channels.
A witness, john Babs, who spoke to newsmen, said about two children have swept away in Kuruduma community, while a young man, said to be in his late 20s and identified as Uche, was carried away by the flood. He reportedly died while struggling to save his properties at Kobi village.
One of the victims, and a middle-aged man, who refused to disclose his identity, but claimed he is a lawyer and a neighbor to Uche whose corpse was recovered yesterday morning, noted that he saw when the deceased was struggling for survival but was swept away by the flood.
He also said he escaped death by the whisker, because his own house was already over flooded, but was rescued by well-spirited youths who braved the flood, came through the back of the house, broke the windows to pull him out.
He said: “I saw Uche because his three bedroom flat which was, completely erased by the flood is opposite my own, he was standing aloof while I was shouting for help when my house was flooded. It took the timely intervention of some youths who came through the back, broke the iron burglary proofs, before pulling me out. I have lived in this place for two years, and have never seen that kind of flood.
“Uche initially came out of his house, but rushed back, obviously to pick up something, unfortunately, the flood swept him and swept him away as he was holding a plantain tree.
Another victim, Sarah Zakka who was struggling to scoop water and mud out of her Chemist shop in the place, noted that the flood took them unaware. She, however, expressed gratitude that she survived the flood invasion.
The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) spokesman, Emeka Iwuagwu, said the agency had recovered one body after several hours of search through the water channels.
Iwuagwu also added that three persons were rescued alive.
