No fewer than five people, including four children, have died after a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall struck the Ikot Anwatim community in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State.
The tragic incident also left two others—an adult and a child—injured. They were rescued from the debris and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
In a viral video circulating online, the bereaved parents of the four children said they lost both their children and their home in the disaster.
Following the incident, the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), led by its Director-General, Mr. Efa Nyong, conducted an emergency assessment of the affected community on Saturday alongside officials of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
The assessment team inspected the disaster site, met with bereaved families and evaluated the extent of the damage caused by the landslide.
Speaking during the visit, Nyong described the deaths, particularly those of the children, as heartbreaking and conveyed the condolences of the Cross River State Government to the affected families.
He assured residents that the state government would collaborate with relevant agencies and humanitarian organisations to provide relief materials and other forms of support to victims.
According to him, the assessment will help document the impact of the disaster and guide the provision of humanitarian assistance, while also informing long-term strategies to reduce the risk of future landslides.
Nyong urged residents of landslide- and erosion-prone communities to remain vigilant, report early warning signs such as ground cracks and soil movement, and comply with evacuation directives whenever they are issued.
CR-SEMA recommended immediate humanitarian assistance for affected households, sustained medical care for the injured, a comprehensive geotechnical survey to determine the stability of the area, intensified public awareness campaigns on landslide risks, and the possible relocation of residents living in high-risk communities to prevent similar tragedies.
