Flood sweeps away 17-yr-old girl in Lagos

By Adekunle Badmus

A 17-year-old girl, identified simply as Ayisat was, on Monday, swept away by flood caused by the heavy downpour.

The incident reportedly happened around 12:30p.m, at Alapafuja axis of the Surulere Low-Cost Housing Estate, Surulere Local Government Area, in Lagos State.

According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), search operation for the missing teenage had commenced, on Monday, and would continue, on Tuesday.

A statement by the Director-General, Dr. Olufemi Oke–Osanyintolu, said that preliminary investigation into the incident revealed that the canal along Alapafuja close linking Bank Olemoh was submerged as a result of flooding.

The statement signed by LASEMA’s Head of Public Affairs, Nosa Okunbor said,

“The search and rescue operation by the Agency which commenced immediately the distress alert was received, has led to the ongoing thorough search of all major and minor categories of drains and drainage canals in and around Alapafuja axis of the Surulere Low-Cost Housing Estate in Surulere Local Government Area, Lagos.

“Outcome of the present operation will determine the extent to which the radius of the search and rescue operation will be extended beyond the immediate locality of Surulere to other Local Governments/Local Council Development areas trailing the water/flood flow, as past experience has proven that strong floods have been known to transfer victims far from incident scenes.

“The Agency is enjoining all parents and guardians to ensure adequate safety of their children, wards and young adults by insisting, and restraining them indoors during rainfalls and away from after rain flooding which has been known to sweep away articulated vehicles and even demolish buildings where the flood strength and speeds are strong enough.”