Tragedy struck on Tuesday as many residents of Inyimagu Unuhu under Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State were left in tears after heavy rainfall destroyed their houses.

A powerful windstorm ravaged the settlement located behind the CBN Quarters off Centenary City, Abakaliki.

Our correspondent, who visited the area, confirmed that the storm completely destroyed 41 houses.

Tragically, one life was lost. Mrs. Theresa Nwaji Edeh died when the roof of her house collapsed on her as she slept. Numerous other homes, including those formerly belonging to Chief Martins Nwachor Elechi (former Governor of Ebonyi State) and Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele (former Abakaliki LGA Chairman), were also severely affected.
Eyewitnesses reported that the disaster has left 39 people homeless, with 29 currently seeking refuge with the village head and the remaining 10 scattered across different locations. Many homes in the area were built with poor structures/materials, making them highly vulnerable to such disasters.

The village councilor, Hon. John Nwibo Odeh, lamented the government’s neglect, especially since the community had previously been relocated to this area as part of the state’s development plan. The relocation was tied to the construction of Centenary City, and each family was allotted only one plot of land to settle, regardless of family size.
The dire condition has reportedly led to several untimely deaths, particularly among young people who cannot cope with the hardship. Lacking the resources to build proper homes, some residents resorted to constructing shelters from firewood and molded blocks.

Mr. Ikechukwu, the village youth president, expressed deep concern over the suffering of the people. He explained that the community primarily farmers lost their farmlands to the government’s development projects. Their only means of survival has vanished, and the one-plot allocation fails to consider the polygamous nature of many families. “How can a family with three or four wives and multiple children survive on a single plot?” he asked.

He made a passionate appeal to the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Bldr. Ogbonna Francis Nwifuru, to fulfill the government’s earlier promises and support the affected people. His appeals include:
1. Reconstruction of Primary School – The village lost its only school during the relocation.
2. Establishment of a Healthcare Center – To improve access to medical care.
3. Provision of Clean Water – A functional borehole is urgently needed as the only existing one has broken down.
4. Reconstruction of the Village Market – Which was also destroyed during the resettlement.
5. Construction of a Bridge – To reconnect villagers separated by a drainage channel built by FERMA.
6. Allotment of Additional Land – To families that didn’t receive land during the initial relocation.
7. Government Appointment for Graduates – To ensure the community is represented in public service.
8. Employment Quotas for Ministries – Even in lower-level jobs like cleaning, to reduce poverty.
9. Installation of a Traditional Ruler – As previously promised by the former administration.
10. Creation of Additional Polling Units – To ease overcrowding during elections, as the two existing units are insufficient.

The youth president also prayed for the peaceful repose of Mrs. Theresa Nwaji Edeh, who lost her life in the disaster, saying:
“May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.”

Another resident, Mr. Peter Obinna Uguru, also appealed to Governor Nwifuru for urgent intervention. He thanked the media for covering the incident and emphasized that the disaster could have been prevented if the government had fulfilled its relocation promises. He highlighted the community’s critical need for a motorized borehole, as residents are now forced to travel long distances to places like Chiboy Junction and Convent Road in search of drinking water.