Killer Flood Drowns Catholic Priest, Two Pupils In Bayelsa

Killer Flood Drowns Catholic Priest, Two Pupils In Bayelsa—A Roman Catholic priest identified as Rev Fr. Francis Ighorurhie breathed his last after he fell off a wooden bridge popularly known as ‘monkey bridge’ on his way home at Kaiama community.

In the same State but this time in Good News area of Azikoro town in Yenagoa LGA of the state, two pupils (nursery and primary) also drowned in a flood while returning home from school.

Residents of the area reported that the wooden bridge that killed the cleric had been submerged by the rising water making walking on the slippery structure a difficult task for users.

A priest, who spoke in confidence, said the death of Ighorurhie was sad and devastating.

He said: “This is a sad moment for us. Father was on his way back from Bomadi in Delta State when he met his untimely death. But for the flood he could have driven his car straight to his residence, instead he parked same by the roadside.

“It was as he was walking on the wooden bridge part that had been submerged that he slipped and got drowned. Those staying at his residence had to raise the alarm when they saw his car by the roadside and he was nowhere to be found.

“They however became suspicious when they saw a bag containing some provision floating on the water not far from bridge. Divers were contracted and his remains were recovered.”

The Bayelsa State Government gave a statement on the rising floods, sympathised with residents over the impact of the disaster, and assured residents that efforts was been made to remedy the situation.