Dare Babalola
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has carried out an on-the-spot assessment of several emergency incidents that struck communities across Abia State, highlighting widespread damage and growing humanitarian concerns.
In a statement shared on its official X account on Wednesday, the agency said its Owerri Operations Office conducted the assessment on April 17, 2026, in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), non-governmental organisations, and local authorities.
“The assessment exercise, carried out in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), as well as community and Local Government representatives, covered a range of disaster situations affecting different parts of the state,” the agency stated.
According to NEMA, findings from its Emergency and Risk Management Team showed that between April 8 and 17, multiple incidents—including windstorms, flash flooding, and fire outbreaks—occurred across various locations with varying levels of severity.
“These incidents caused significant damage to infrastructure, disrupted livelihoods, and increased humanitarian needs among affected populations,” the statement noted.
In Bende Local Government Area, particularly at Ndebem Umuikwuoma Uzoitem, a severe windstorm combined with flooding damaged residential buildings, public facilities, and places of worship, while also destroying economic trees.
“The incident further impacted a connecting bridge at Umuokoeyi Village due to the overflow of rainwater, thereby disrupting both human and vehicular movement,” NEMA added.
Similarly, in Isiala Ngwa Local Government Area, the Ama Apu Ntigha community experienced windstorm damage to electricity infrastructure, leading to the collapse of electric poles and wires and a disruption in power supply.
The agency also reported a fire outbreak at a facility belonging to Nigerian Breweries in Aba South Local Government Area.
“Although the fire was contained within the premises, significant damages and losses were recorded, while investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the incident,” the statement said.
In Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, another fire incident severely affected a shredding and recycling rubber and plastic production company.
NEMA said the fire was suspected to have been caused by an electrical surge or system failure, leading to the destruction of buildings, machinery, raw materials, and other assets worth millions of naira.
Following the assessment, the agency recommended immediate intervention measures.
“Following the assessment, the team recommended urgent intervention, including the provision of emergency relief materials and support to affected communities,” NEMA stated.
The agency warned that the near-simultaneous occurrence of multiple emergencies across the state has worsened the humanitarian situation, stressing the need for swift and coordinated response efforts.
“The Agency noted that the simultaneous occurrence of multiple emergencies across the state has compounded the humanitarian situation, thereby requiring timely and coordinated response efforts to alleviate the impact on affected populations,” it added.
