Metro

Flood: Residents Demand Proactive Efforts From Government, Relevant Agencies

Published

4 years ago

October 12, 2022

Editor

Residents of Osogbo, Osun State have called on the state government, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Osun State Emergency Management Agency (OSEMA) and relevant agencies to prevent another flooding in the state.

This is given the recent warning issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to Southern states to expect high-intensity rainfall and riverine flooding in the remaining days of the rainy season.

The NiMet Director General, Professor Mansur Bako Matazu made this know in Abuja on Tuesday while speaking at a workshop organised by the agency in collaboration with the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) on Hydro-meteorological status and outlook system (HydroSOS).

A landlord, Kayode Simeon chatting with DAILY POST stated the call became necessary following the flooding that occurred in 2021 in some parts of the state capital in August and October and other parts of the state.

In his words, “The thing about floods is that the scale becomes bigger and larger as the years roll by. It may occur in a small way now and if not properly managed, the scale may increase the next time and the devastation may be too much to manage by then.

“I was made to understand that the rate of rainfall is increasing and this is the real issue.”

Oyewole Matthew on his own noted that the problem of flooding associated with rainfall is not new in Osogbo.

He recollected that in 2010, half of Osogbo was affected by a flood which repeated itself again in 2019.

“In 2010, the flooding that affected the capital Osogbo came with attendant loss of lives and properties. The state government of Rauf Aregbesola in 2011 had to declare an environmental state of emergency to the problem.

“In 2019, parts of the state capital experienced flooding which damaged lots of properties but no life was lost.

“The state government swung into action but the flood repeated itself again in 2021. We just woke up after that heavy rainfall in August and behold most of Osogbo was flooded.

“In October, it repeated itself but this time around not only in Osogbo but mostly in Ilesa town. The government went into action and dredged most rivers in the state.”

He called on the government not to wait until things get out of hand before they take action.

“We must not deceive ourselves. It is not certain that Osogbo is flood-prone and the warning of NiMet warns that rainfall will affect southern states again this year like in 2021. They warned in 2021 and it came to pass. They are wanting again in 2022, we must do all to avert disaster.

“It is no longer news that Kogi and Anambra states are suffering and I heard in the news that about 500 souls have perished due to the recent floods that have overtaken both states. Before such will befall us in Osun, the government should act fast!”

A house owner, Oluwaseun Babatunde stated that he and his family had to relocate from their house temporarily due to the flood.

“You see, we never knew where we built our house was flood-prone. In fact, some years earlier, it was totally safe. So we bought and developed the land until disaster struck. We had to move the little we could salvage out of the house when flood waters suddenly rushed in and disrupted our sleep in the middle of the night.”

The Osun State Commissioner for Environment, Olusola Oladepo was not available for comment on the subject matter as messages sent to him were not responded to.

Metro

16 Passengers Lose Lives In Lokoja–Okene Highway Tragedy

Published

8 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

At least 16 persons have been confirmed dead following a fatal road accident along the Lokoja–Okene highway in Kogi State.

In a post shared on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama, he said the tragic incident occurred at about 9:20 a.m. on Friday near Aku village around the Osara axis of the busy highway.

Security and traffic safety sources told Zagazola Makama that the accident involved a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number BUU 17 ZD carrying 22 passengers from Jos, Plateau State, to Lagos.

“Security and traffic safety sources said the accident involved a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number BUU 17 ZD, conveying 22 passengers comprising 21 males and one female from Jos, Plateau State, en route to Lagos,” Makama said.

According to the sources, the vehicle reportedly lost control while moving at high speed, veered off the road and plunged under a bridge, leading to multiple casualties.

Preliminary findings attributed the accident to driver fatigue.

The sources disclosed that 16 occupants of the vehicle, including 15 men and one woman, lost their lives in the crash, while six other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Emergency responders were said to have arrived at the scene after receiving a distress call and immediately evacuated the injured victims to medical facilities in Osara and the Specialist Hospital in Lokoja for treatment.

The remains of the deceased victims were deposited at the Ankuri Mortuary in Lokoja.

Authorities, meanwhile, advised motorists to obey speed limits, ensure adequate rest during long-distance trips and strictly comply with road safety regulations to avoid preventable accidents and loss of life.

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

3 days ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

5 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.