Business and commercial activities were severely disrupted in Lagos and Ogun states on Wednesday following a 10-hour downpour that caused extensive flooding.
The heavy rain began around midnight and lasted until noon in some areas, resulting in a two-storey building collapse in Mushin, Lagos, and widespread traffic disruptions.
The flooding overwhelmed many roads and homes, making vehicular movement difficult and preventing students from attending school.
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Among the hardest-hit areas in Lagos were Berger, Ikeja, Ogba, Iyana-Oworo, Agege, Ijegun-Isheri Osun, Gbagada, and Lagos Island. Major roads were submerged, leaving passengers stranded.
The collapse of the two-story building on Cameroon Road in Mushin injured seven people. The Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) confirmed that all seven victims were rescued alive and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, attributed the building collapse to the inclement weather and stated that the search-and-rescue team had thoroughly searched the rubble to ensure no one was trapped.
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The flooding also caused significant disruptions in transportation. Commercial bus drivers and tricycle riders increased fares due to impassable roads, and hoodlums were reported extorting residents trying to navigate alternate routes.
Residents of the severely affected White Sand Estate in Isheri-Osun, Lagos, shared their struggles with the recurring flooding, calling for government intervention. The area’s poor drainage systems and lack of maintenance have led to frequent and severe flooding, leaving homes submerged and residents trapped.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, urged residents to remain calm and avoid non-essential travel due to flash floods.
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He also advised those in low-lying areas to relocate to higher ground to safeguard their lives and properties. Wahab assured that the floodwaters would recede once the rain abated and emphasized the state’s efforts to clear major black spots.