June 18, 2020
A 4-year-old girl has been swept away by flood following the torrential rain in Lagos on Thursday.
The incident occurred in Papa Ashafa area of Agege, Lagos.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), is on search of the baby and has advised residents of Aboru, Iyana-Ipaja, Command Ota in Ogun State through Agabara on the route of the canal before it discharges into the sea to look out for the body.
It was gathered that the girl Azizat lived with her parents located at No. 38 Fashola Street, off Odebode street, Papa Ashafa, Orile Agege, but when their house was overtaken by floodwater and in an effort to relocate to higher ground with other residents, Azizat mistakenly missed her step into a drainage that was covered with flood water and was swept away.
In another development four buildings partially collapsed and two women were rescued including a pregnant woman who slumped but was revived immediately.
The buildings collapse occurred at Ashade Quarters behind Guinness while the two women lived at No. 26 Railway Line.
A statement from emergency agency said 18 households in a compound have been advised to evacuate number 18 Railway Line, Ashade Quarter, Agege for the safety of their lives as the downpour have weakened the building though the occupants of the building have expressed readiness for evacuation.
Lagos State Police Command spokesman, Bala Elkana who confirmed the incident noted that the police was working with emergency agencies in their search effort for the girl.
As a result of today’s heavy downpour, commuters are stranded on major highways on their way to their various offices and residents have sad stories on wreckage flood has caused for their homes and streets.
The floods have compounded traffic in a city famous for its gridlock.
The story is the same on the Island and Mainland areas of the metropolis.
Successive state governments have tried to fix the flood problem without success, especially with the city lying below sea level.