It was a black Tuesday for the residents of Inyimagu Unuhu, a quiet community tucked behind the CBN Quarters near Centenary City in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. A heavy rainfall accompanied by a powerful windstorm swept through the area, tearing roofs off buildings and reducing dozens of homes to rubble. What was once a modest but vibrant settlement now lies in broken fragments and scattered memories.
Forty-one houses were completely destroyed by the storm, and at least thirty-nine residents were left homeless. But the pain of lost shelter was deepened by the loss of life. Mrs. Theresa Nwaji Edeh, a long-time resident of the community, died in her sleep when the roof of her home collapsed on her. Her sudden and tragic death plunged the already traumatized community into mourning.
The affected homes include those that once belonged to prominent figures like Chief Martins Nwachor Elechi, a former Governor of Ebonyi State, and Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele, a former Chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Area. These buildings, once symbols of heritage and stability, could not withstand the wrath of the storm.
As rescue efforts and recovery began, displaced families scrambled for temporary shelter. Twenty-nine people are currently taking refuge with the village head, while the rest have been scattered to other locations, clinging to any form of safety they can find. Most of the homes in Inyimagu Unuhu were built with minimal resources—some with firewood, others with molded blocks—exposing the fragility of life in communities long forgotten by the government.
The village councilor, Hon. John Nwibo Odeh, spoke with a heavy heart. He recalled that the community was resettled in this location years ago, as part of a state development project. Their original land was taken for the construction of Centenary City, and in return, each family was given just one plot of land—regardless of size, structure, or circumstance.
“People are dying slowly, not just from disasters like this,” he said, “but from the hardship of being resettled without support. Our youth are fading into hopelessness.”
The community’s youth president, Mr. Ikechukwu, was visibly emotional as he described the suffering. He noted that the people, mostly farmers, lost their farmlands during the relocation and have struggled ever since to make ends meet. With no source of income and insufficient space to build decent homes, many residents have resorted to whatever materials they can find to shelter their families.
“How do you expect a man with three or four wives and many children to survive on just one plot of land?” he asked, clearly frustrated.
His appeal to the Ebonyi State Government was loud and clear. He called on the Governor, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, to remember the promises made during the resettlement. Among the community’s urgent needs are the reconstruction of their only primary school, a functioning health center, a new borehole to provide clean water, and a rebuilt village market.
They also asked for a bridge to be constructed to reconnect sections of the village divided by a drainage channel constructed by FERMA, and for more land to be allocated to families left out during the initial relocation. The youth president also emphasized the need for the inclusion of the community’s graduates in government jobs, employment opportunities in ministries, the installation of a traditional ruler, and the creation of more polling units to ease the burden during elections.
He concluded his appeal with a heartfelt prayer for Mrs. Edeh. “May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace,” he said.
Another resident, Mr. Peter Obinna Uguru, added his voice, thanking the media for covering the disaster. He stressed that the incident could have been avoided if the government had fulfilled its promises after the relocation.
“We don’t even have water to drink,” he said. “People are now walking long distances to places like Chiboy Junction and Convent Road just to find clean water.”
Now, in the aftermath of the storm, the people of Inyimagu Unuhu are left waiting—grieving, displaced, and hopeful that their cries will not fall on deaf ears. What they seek is not luxury, but dignity. What they ask for is not sympathy, but action.
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