Flood kills 16-year-old in Bayelsa, corpse missing

A 16-year-old Temedi Yerimene has been killed by a surging flood that flushed him into a deep canal in Igbogene community of Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The corpse is said to be still missing two days after the incident.

It was gathered that the deceased, who was in company with his friends, went swimming in the rising water close to the State Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene but was overpowered by the surging tide of the water which flushed him into the huge canal.

It was learnt that efforts by the community’s search team to locate him dead or alive proved futile as half of the community has been submerged by floodwaters.

The deceased mother, identified simply as Madam Carol, said they are indigenes of Amabulu in Ojobo community of Ekeremor LGA.

She confirmed that the tragic incident happened around 11am on Saturday while she was away to the market to buy food items and ingredients to prepare their lunch.

Madam Carol said: “When I came back from the market, I was told my son had gone swimming with friends. I thought he was swimming in the rising water level at the compound. Later, one of his friends told me my son had been dragged by the flood into the canal.”

Another resident, Destiny, said the community leadership had warned parents to prevail on their kids to avoid swimming in the flood to avoid mishaps.

Investigation showed that more communities in the State have already been taken over by floods.

The disaster has wreaked havoc on the secretariat of Kolokuma/Opokuma council.