Heavy rainfall on Thursday left inhabitants of Ajah, Mafoluku, and other vulnerable Lagos areas trapped as floodwaters overwhelmed homes and blocked primary transportation routes. Local citizens spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday to demand immediate state intervention, citing inadequate drainage systems as the primary cause of the recurring crisis.
On Muri Okunola Road in Ajah, resident Mrs. Rukayat reported that approximately 200 meters of the roadway were completely submerged, forcing commuters to walk through water reaching their waists. Many drivers were forced to abandon their cars, while others turned back entirely. Those attempting to traverse the area on tricycles frequently faced breakdowns, requiring local youths to manually push the vehicles through the deluge for a price. Rukayat suggested that the nearby canal is likely obstructed by sand and excessive vegetation, preventing effective water drainage.
Similar conditions plagued Mafoluku, where residents found their streets and homes overtaken by water. Mrs. Iriagbonse Okunkpolor recounted being unable to return to her Agboola Street home for hours due to the sudden inundation. Another local, Mr. Mukaila Idris, noted the hazardous nature of the flooding, observing that many were forced to pay individuals to help them cross safely for fear of being carried away by the current. Furthermore, Mr. Williams Ekpo of Eyinogun reported that water entered residential compounds, resulting in property damage. Affected citizens are calling on authorities to urgently upgrade the local drainage infrastructure to mitigate future flood risks.
