Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A heavy downpour that began on Sunday, May 24, 2026, and continued into Monday has submerged many houses and farmlands in the flood-prone communities of Ogidi, in Idemili North Local Government Area, and Ifite-Awka, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. The persistent rainfall has left a trail of destruction, displacing families, destroying property worth hundreds of millions of naira, and disrupting economic activities. A visit to the affected areas on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, revealed scenes of devastation as residents were seen scooping water from their homes and business premises, while others along St. John Street in Ifite-Awka were busy evacuating damaged property and valuables.
The flooding has also caused significant infrastructural damage. The headquarters of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Ifite-Awka was among the worst-hit structures, with its entire compound and auditorium submerged. The church’s District Head, Reverend Sam Ufo, lamented that the magnitude of the disaster was unprecedented since the church relocated to the area. Items destroyed included pianos, amplifiers, and other electronic equipment, as well as church documents and official records. Reverend Ufo explained that although the church had experienced flooding in the past, the rainfall on Sunday night pulled down its perimeter fence, as well as that of a neighbouring mission, forcing massive floodwater into the premises. In Ogidi, the situation has been equally dire. The flood has taken over about two kilometres of the ever-busy Awka-Onitsha old highway, cutting off motorists and forcing them to divert through nearby villages.
Beyond the physical destruction, residents of both communities have expressed deep frustration over the perennial nature of the flooding, which they say has become a recurring nightmare every rainy season. Many have blamed the crisis on poor town planning, indiscriminate building construction, and weak enforcement of regulations by the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, which they say has allowed developers to erect structures on natural waterways, obstructing the free flow of water. In Ogidi, the situation has escalated into a full-blown humanitarian crisis, with the youths of the community staging a protest on Monday, May 25, 2026, blocking the flooded highway with placards to demand urgent intervention. The President of Ogidi Youths, Mr. Chris Obi-Okafor, who led over 1,800 youths in the protest, described the condition of the community as unbearable. In an emotion-laden speech delivered while standing on the flooded road, he lamented that the economy of the area has been grounded and that every rainfall has become a nightmare. He noted that businesses are collapsing daily, roads have turned into rivers, homes are flooded, and movement has become almost impossible. He also highlighted the devastating impact on education, noting that children are often unable to attend school during rainfall periods because they cannot cross the floodwaters to access education. He appealed to the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Anambra State Government led by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to provide lasting solutions.
The traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alexander Onyido, who addressed the protesting youths, urged them not to take the law into their hands, even as he commended them for being peaceful. He assured them that he would intensify efforts to engage the government on the need for immediate intervention. Similarly, the Chairman of St. John Street in Ifite-Awka, Uzochukwu Umejiege, lamented that the area is located at the lower end of a slope, making it the worst hit whenever it rains. He appealed to the government to construct a larger drainage system capable of channeling water from other parts of Ifite-Awka to prevent future disasters.
The flooding has also destroyed farmlands and economic trees, dealing a heavy blow to farmers who rely on the rainy season for their livelihood. An elderly farmer, Ndidi Nwacha, lamented that the flood had destroyed her yam and cassava farms, for which she had borrowed money at a high interest rate. Officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Environment have acknowledged the disaster, stating that authorities are aware of the situation and have intensified efforts to address flooding through drainage clearing, desilting of waterways, and community sensitisation campaigns. However, residents of both communities insist that only a comprehensive and lasting solution, including the recovery of blocked waterways and the construction of larger drainage channels, can save them from the annual devastation. As the rainy season progresses, the people of Ogidi and Ifite-Awka remain in a state of anxiety, fearing that any further downpour could worsen their already precarious situation.
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