Mystery Deepens As 12-Year-old Ella Remains Missing After Agbama Flood Incident   

Family Says Girl Was Swept Into Gutter, Search Recovers Only Slippers And ₦500 Note

UMUAHIA, Abia State – A 12-year-old girl, Ella is still missing after she was allegedly swept away by floodwater on Monday evening at Agbama, Umuahia, in an incident that has raised questions over delayed response and the circumstances surrounding the search.

Ella, an indigene of Ohafia, was said to be living with her mother’s younger sister, her aunt, in the area.

According to accounts from residents, it was already raining when her aunt sent her to buy an item at the main road. She went out with an umbrella, bought the item, and was returning when she got to a gutter directly in front of the shop.

Witnesses said the floodwater had completely covered the gutter, making it impossible to determine where to step. Ella allegedly mistakenly stepped into the overflowing gutter and was immediately swept off by the current.

It was gathered that those in the shop and some neighbors did not attempt to stop her from crossing or raise an alarm after the incident. Passers-by who witnessed the floodwater carry the girl raised the alarm and alerted the shop owners, who in turn contacted the girl’s aunt.

A search team was formed minutes later. The team combed the waterway and surrounding bushes and was only able to recover her pair of slippers and a ₦500 note.

“The slippers were said to have been found together – strange, huh?” a resident involved in the search noted.

The search was suspended at 1:00am and resumed at 6:00am on Tuesday. As of 2:00pm Tuesday, there was still no sign of the girl.

The Abia State Fire Service arrived in the afternoon to assess possible areas of assistance in the search.

Ella’s mother, Chinasa, is said to be devastated and has pleaded for her daughter to be returned “no matter the condition.”

Her grandmother, Ugo, has insisted that someone may be deliberately hiding the child after rescuing her.

“After flooding, whatever it took will be on the surface,” she argued, questioning how only slippers and money were found.

As of the time of this report, no formal complaint had been lodged with the police by the family.

“Why the delay in lodging a complaint if there is a suspicion of possible abduction? All options should be explored if they truly want to get answers to Ella’s whereabouts,” a source close to the matter said.

Residents have called on security agencies and relevant authorities to intensify search efforts and investigate all angles, including the possibility of abduction, to determine Ella’s whereabouts.

The Abia State Police Command is yet to receive an official report on the incident as at press time.