𝗡𝗗𝗩 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧: 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗔𝗷𝗮𝗽𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿.

𝗡𝗗𝗩 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧: 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗔𝗷𝗮𝗽𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿.

𝗕𝘆 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲,

𝗢𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁,

21𝘀𝘁 𝗝𝗮𝗻. 2026.

Fear, anxiety and despair now hang thick in the air in Ajapa Community, Arogbo Kingdom, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, as residents battle a worsening water crisis that threatens daily survival.

Findings by NigerDelta Voice, Ondo State Correspondents reveal that the riverine community—already plagued for decades by saltwater intrusion from the Atlantic Ocean—has been pushed to the brink following the total breakdown of its only functional borehole.

Today, men, women and children are seen scampering from house to house and going long distances in search of a few litres of drinkable water, while many now resort to unsafe sources, raising fears of disease outbreak.

“We are dying slowly here,” cried Mrs. Ebikeme Tare, a mother of five. “Water is life. Without it, what do they expect us to do? Our children drink saltwater; we cook with it; we bathe with it. We are afraid.”

Ajapa, a community known for producing high-profile personalities across politics, academia, business and public service, now cuts the image of abandonment. In Arogbo Kingdom, many prominent families trace their maternal or paternal roots to Ajapa, yet the community itself remains trapped in neglect.

A youth leader, who spoke under anonymity, described the situation as beyond unbearable.

“This borehole was our last hope. Now it is broken, and nobody is listening to us. Are we not citizens? Must we wait until people start dying before help comes?” he asked angrily.

Residents recalled that the community once experienced relief when Hon. (Dr.) Kingsley Kemebradigha KuKu intervened to end decades of darkness by facilitating the installation of solar-powered streetlights.

“That light gave us hope,” said an elderly community leader. “But light alone cannot keep us alive. We need water. Water is more urgent than anything right now.”

As the crisis deepens, panic continues to spread, with residents warning that Ajapa may soon face a full-blown humanitarian emergency if urgent intervention is not made.

Community leaders are now crying out to the Ondo State Government, Ese-Odo Local Government authorities, intervention agencies, oil companies and well-meaning Nigerians to act fast.

“Ajapa is suffering. We are losing hope,” a resident lamented. “If nothing is done now, history will not forgive those who looked away.”

NigerDelta Voice will continue to monitor developments and amplify the voices of Ajapa until help arrives.