A tragic incident has thrown residents of Aba, Aba, into mourning after a five-year-old girl was swept away by floodwaters during a heavy rainfall.

The incident occurred on Akpu Road in the Ogbor Hill area of the city after hours of torrential rain caused severe flooding. According to reports, the young girl, identified as Melody, had gone outside with her seven-year-old brother to play in the rain despite earlier warnings from their mother.

Witnesses said the girl reportedly sat on an uncovered drainage collection box while playing. Moments later, the strong current pulled her into the drainage system, where she was swept away by the rushing floodwater before anyone could rescue her.

Her devastated mother, who sells garri at the nearby Good Morning Market, said she had specifically instructed her children not to go outside while it was raining. Neighbours immediately joined in a desperate search, while local divers and residents continued searching nearby waterways and the Waterside River in hopes of recovering the child’s body.

The heartbreaking incident has renewed concerns over the dangers of open drainage systems and recurring flooding in many Nigerian cities, with residents urging authorities to improve drainage infrastructure and cover exposed gutters to prevent similar tragedies.

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5-Year-Old Girl Swept Away by Floodwaters in Aba After Playing in Heavy Rain

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A five-year-old girl was swept away by floodwaters in Aba, Abia State, after falling into an uncovered drainage during heavy rainfall. Residents and local divers launched a search operation.

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Wetin Happun:
Heavy rain wey fall for Aba carry one five-year-old pikin, Melody, after she fall enter open gutter while she and her elder brother dey play for rain. Her mama bin warn dem make dem no comot, but dem still go outside. Neighbours and local divers search well for the pikin as the incident don make many people call on government to cover open gutters and solve flooding problem.