“Sanwo-Olu, we voted for you, come and rescue us,” Ikorodu residents groan as flood sweeps homes, access roads 

CITIZENS COMPASS—Many residents of Ikorodu Division in Lagos State, were on Monday, stranded for hours as water found its way into their homes following a downpour.

Most buildings were submerged in water while major roads and streets were overtaken by flood.

The rain started in the early hours and lasted till about Noon.

Several videos of the flooding were shared on various social media handles with residents drawing government attention to their plights.

Although the downpour occurred across the state, the flooding was mostly experienced in Ikorodu Division according to reports.

Areas majorly affected were Isawo, Odogunyan, Ijede and Igbogbo-Baiyeku to mention but a few.

In Isawo area, the yearly overflow of Odo-Afa was experienced as the only access road was sacked.

Some videos of the flooding monitored by Citizens Compass captured a difficult moment by some road users.

Some of them put a call to our Correspondent lamenting the situation.

A road user, Mrs Bamidele Modupeola said she had to abandon her Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) near the river and discontinued her journey.

Another road user, Woleola Alinson said all was well when he left home at about 4a.m but his return journey was cumbersome due to the flooding.

According to him, “I left my house at about 4a m in my private car which I parked at Isawo and took a bus to Agric bus-stop to board the Bus Rapid Response (BRT).

“My return journey was cumbersome as the Odo-Afa river had overflowed.” He said.

It was learnt that the Isawo road has been undergoing a snake-like reconstruction since 2018 after the state government demolished some buildings to pave the way for the construction.

Residents of the area have appealed to the state government to fast track the reconstruction by HITEC Construction company.

In Igbogbo-Baiyeku area, many residents were thrown into a dilemma when water found its way into their homes.

As at Noon, many residents were forced to remain indoors as flood had taken over their streets and compound.

Citizens Compass learnt that apart from the slow pace of the road rehabilitation from the Obafemi-Awolowo Way to Prince Abiodun Ogunleye Estate which witnessed a slow pace since 2022, the water channels and drainages in the area have been encroached upon by some individuals.

In the Ijede area, most buildings were submerged by flood such that many residents could not access their homes.

A trending video from Oko-Ope, Ijede, captured a pathetic situation where residents were sacked from their homes.

One of the videos captured a female resident filming the flood and appealing to the state governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to come to the aid of the residents.

“We are in Oko-Ope, Ijede. Please help us. Flood has displaced us. I can’t even enter my apartment because it has spoilt everything. I’m in clothes but presently barefoot. It has swept away everything we kept in the house. People are coming to rescue their people; we’re trapped. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, we voted for you, come and rescue us,”

At Oreyo, the flooding recorded a petrol spill Incident at Agbalumo, Oreyo area of Igbogbo-Baiyeku but this was swiftly attended to by the newly elected council chairman, Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), had earlier predicted possible flash floods in some areas.

Responding to the yearnings of Lagosians, the Lagos State Government has apologised to them over the inconveniences they experienced.

In a post on X, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, assured residents that the ongoing road project by the state government was meant to ameliorate their sufferings.

“I have directed the contractor to immediately commence excavation work toward the discharge point and to prioritise the construction of culverts. The concrete lining, which is part of the broader project scope, will continue once the culvert work is stabilised.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience residents are currently facing. This is temporary. What we are doing now is laying the groundwork for a permanent fix that will improve the quality of life for everyone in that area,” he said.