Cross River Landslide: Mother Recounts How She Lost Four Children in One Night

A mother’s worst nightmare became reality in Cross River State when a devastating landslide triggered by days of relentless rainfall buried her home, killing four of her children in minutes. In this emotional interview, Mrs. Mercy Edu recounts the horrifying night she lost nearly everything, revealing the unimaginable pain no parent should ever endure while pleading with authorities to prevent another tragedy.

Mrs. Mercy Edu, a mother of seven from Ikot Anwatim, Calabar, Cross River State, lost four of her children after a landslide triggered by prolonged heavy rainfall caused a building on a nearby hill to collapse onto her family home. Speaking about the tragedy, she said no amount of financial assistance could replace her children and urged the government to take urgent action to prevent future disasters.

Cross River Landslide: Mother Recounts How She Lost Four Children in One Night, Says “No Amount of Money Can Heal This Pain”

Mrs. Mercy Edu, a grieving mother from Ikot Anwatim community in Calabar, Cross River State, has shared the heartbreaking story of how a devastating landslide claimed the lives of four of her children after days of torrential rainfall.

Speaking in an emotional interview with The PUNCH, the mother of seven described the tragedy as a life-changing nightmare, saying she now lives with an emptiness that no financial assistance can erase.

Introducing herself, Mrs. Edu said she is married to Mr. Kingsley Edu, adding that she supports her family by running a small foodstuff business.

Recounting the tragic night, she explained that she was at her shop while five of her children remained at home.

According to her, three of the children had already returned home, while two later left the shop after getting drenched on their way back from school.

Shortly afterwards, disaster struck.

“We suddenly heard a loud sound. The house on top of the hill was dragged down because of the heavy rain. Within minutes, it crashed onto our own house. Mud and water rushed in like a river. Four of my children died instantly. Only one was rescued by neighbours.”

Mrs. Edu said the rainfall had continued for several days without stopping, weakening the hillside until it eventually gave way.
She identified the deceased children as Bright Edu (18), Godswill (9), Richard (7), and Daniel (6).

The bereaved mother described them as brilliant, hardworking and full of promise.
“Bright had written the 2025 WASSCE and wanted to become a nurse. Godswill was in JSS2, while Richard and Daniel were in Primary One and preparing for Primary Two. Their books were still on the table. Their school uniforms were still hanging. Now, they are gone.”

She added that the children consistently excelled academically and were admired by both their teachers and members of their church.

“I struggled to give them a good education. They always came first or second in class. They were my joy and the reason I woke up every morning.”

Mrs. Edu dismissed suggestions that structural defects caused the collapse, insisting the disaster resulted from the prolonged downpour and the unstable terrain.

“It was never a structural failure. The heavy rainfall caused the landslide. The building on the hill was pushed onto our house.”

She explained that neighbours rushed to the scene with torchlights and digging tools, but by the time they reached the trapped children, four had already lost their lives. Only one child survived after sustaining injuries.

The surviving daughter is currently receiving medical treatment in neighbouring Akwa Ibom State under the care of Mrs. Edu’s sister.

Despite expressing gratitude that one child survived, the grieving mother admitted she continues to battle overwhelming emotional trauma.

“I eat once a day because food has no taste anymore. Sometimes I just sit and stare at their pictures. I am so broken.”

Mrs. Edu acknowledged that Cross River State Governor Senator Bassey Otu visited the family alongside other government officials to offer condolences.

She disclosed that her husband was later invited to Government House, where the family received ₦2 million in financial support.

While appreciating the gesture, she stressed that no amount of money could replace the lives that were lost.

“No amount of money or material compensation can bring back my four children. They were my hope for the future. Only God can heal the pain of losing four children in one night.”

Appealing to government authorities and humanitarian organisations, Mrs. Edu called for urgent intervention to prevent similar disasters.

She specifically urged the government to address the dangers posed by unstable hills in Ikot Anwatim and appealed for assistance with housing, healthcare, psychological support and financial help to rebuild her livelihood.

“Please do something about these hills before more mothers cry like me. I need a place to live, treatment for my heart and mind, and support to restart my business. To Nigerians, please remember me in your prayers. I am empty. Only God and your help can sustain me now.”
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