By Charles Nwoke
Residents of Okemini Nwogbaga Street, off Barr. Okwuegbu Egenti Drive at 99 Corner, Ogbaga Road in Abakaliki fled their homes on Friday following the sudden death of a man known as Uncle Light and his son, Miracle.
The incident occurred in the afternoon and sent shockwaves through the quiet neighbourhood. Witnesses said Miracle, who was visibly ill, cried for help and crawled to the gate of their compound before collapsing. Neighbours rushed in with Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) in an attempt to save him, but he died before help arrived.
Uncle Light and his son, both from Ezza Local Government Area, had lived in the area for over two years. Miracle worked as an iron bender. A neighbour, who requested anonymity, said they last saw the two alive the previous day. However, strange cries for help were heard around midnight and again early Friday.
“I thought it was someone from the nearby psychiatric home, but when my wife went out to tether our goats, she noticed a crowd outside their compound,” the neighbour said. “I immediately alerted the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health, and the Commissioner for Health was contacted. An ambulance arrived, but it was already too late.”
The neighbour blamed a woman who lived with the deceased for withholding vital information about their health condition. He claimed the symptoms were consistent with Cholera and accused the woman of mishandling the situation.
Residents have called on the state Ministry of Health and Environment to urgently fumigate the area. Most neighbours have abandoned their homes, fearing a potential disease outbreak.
Efforts to contact the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekuma, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police from Kpiri-Kpiri Division have evacuated the bodies. The area remains tense, with many residents avoiding the street out of fear of infection and possible arrests.
