Tragedy struck in Boji-Boji, Agbor, in Delta State’s Ika North-East Local Government Area, as a two-year-old girl, Fortress Isiza, remains missing five days after being swept away by floodwaters following heavy rainfall.
The heartbreaking incident occurred around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Fortress, the daughter of Mrs. Naomi Isiza — Assistant Headmistress of Christi Angels Elementary/Nursery School — had celebrated her second birthday just two months earlier.
According to eyewitnesses, Mrs. Isiza was riding her motorcycle with Fortress and her older son en route to school when they accidentally plunged into an open drainage at the junction of Deeper Life Street, off Old Lagos/Asaba Road. The spot, located just beside the school, has long been considered a hazard during heavy rains.
In the chaos, Fortress was swept away by the fast-moving floodwaters. Bystanders rushed to the scene and were able to rescue Mrs. Isiza and her son, but little Fortress was carried out of sight by the current.
The location has a tragic history — the same drainage reportedly claimed the life of a primary four pupil, Favour Chukwuemeke, on November 3, 2023, during another severe flood incident.
As of the time of this report, search efforts for Fortress are ongoing, but she remains missing. Community members continue to appeal for immediate government intervention to cover exposed drains and improve flood management in the area.
