Floodwaters kill father of seven as bridge collapses in Edo

By Jethro Ibileke

A 50-year-old father of seven, Augustine Ojo, has died after he was swept away by floodwaters in Uguewebo community, Umudiode area of Edo State, on Monday night.

Residents alleged that the floodwaters were caused by erosion linked to ongoing road construction in the area.

The deceased was said to be returning home on his motorcycle when he attempted to cross a makeshift wooden bridge serving the community.

Eyewitnesses said floodwaters had already washed away the soil supporting the bridge, causing it to collapse and throwing Ojo into a deep gully.

Community members launched a frantic search, but rescue efforts were unsuccessful. His body was eventually recovered at about 2.00 am after several hours of searching by youths and other villagers.

Angry residents blamed the tragedy on CBC Global, the construction company handling the rehabilitation of the Benin-Auchi Road on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Works.

They alleged that drainage channels constructed along the highway discharge stormwater directly into Uguewebo, worsening erosion that has split the community into two.

“The gully has become a death trap. Our children and adults now cross wooden bridges every day to go to school, the farm and their homes. One mistake and you are gone,” a resident said.

Residents claimed the incident was the second death linked to the gully. They also recalled that a woman and her two children narrowly escaped after falling into the erosion site before they were rescued by villagers.

Speaking on behalf of the community, youth leader Augustine Ewonwa appealed to the Edo State Government and the Federal Ministry of Works to intervene urgently.

“We have complained to CBC Global several times but nothing was done. Instead, they intimidate us when we raise concerns,” Ewonwa alleged.

The deceased’s elder brother also appealed to the government to rehabilitate the area, describing the gully as “a killer waiting to happen”.

The widow, children and other relatives of Ojo called on the authorities to investigate the incident and provide a lasting solution to the erosion problem.

As of press time, efforts to reach CBC Global for comment were unsuccessful. The Federal Ministry of Works had also not issued an official statement on the incident.