Metro

Fresh Flood Alert: Lagos Orders Residents Of Alagbole, Meiran, Kara, Others To Relocate

Published

2 years ago

September 3, 2023

Following the release of an updated 2023 Water Releases Forecast for Flood Control by the Ogun -Osun River Basin Authority effective September and the high rainfall being experienced as predicted, Lagos State Government on Sunday has alerted residents especially those in the downstream of the Ogun River of the likelihood of experiencing flood from this month and relocate to safe areas.

This followed the release of an updated 2023 Water Releases Forecast for Flood Control by the Ogun -Osun River Basin Authority effective September and the high rainfall being experienced as predicted.

According to a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, in Lagos, Engineer Lekan Shodeinde, the affected catchment areas include: Alagbole, Meiran, Maidan, Kara, Isheri-Olowora, Agiliti, Owode-Onirin, Owode-Elede, Agboyi I, Agboyi II, Ajegunle, Itowolo, Majidun, Ibeshe, Baiyeku, Maidan and Lekki-Ajah axis.

He stated that the utmost concern of the state government is safety of lives and properties of residents, urging residents and property owners in the listed areas to be ready to move upland when the water level rises showing signs of flooding just as it is advisable to all residents across the state.

Quoting excerpts from the updated 2023 Water Releases Forecast signed by the managing director of the Ogun- Oshun River Basin Authority, Otunba Olufemi Odumosu” Shodeinde explained that comparatively the total amount of Rainfall recorded from January to August 2023 (1,128.6mm) is higher than that of January to August of the year 2021 (713.4mm) & 2022 (848.1mm).

Shodeinde, said comparatively, a total of 968.6mm was recorded as amount of rainfall for the 12 months of 2021, just as a total of 1,140 mm was the recorded amount of rainfall during the 12 months of 2022, while in the first 8 months of 2023, a quantum of 1,128.6mm has already been recorded which means when the remaining four months in the year is factored in’, a very high intensity of rainfall would be recorded for the whole year.

“When some of the other figures released by the Ogun- Oshun River Basin Authority is further scrutinized for volume of water spilled, it shows that for the 12 months of 2021, 1,102mcm was spilled, while for the 12 months of 2022, a total of 1,475.6 mcm was spilled.

“While in the first eight months of this year, a total of 1,393,1mcm has already been spilled by the River Basin Authority pointing in the direction that more water will be released when factored with the remaining four months in 2023,” Shodeinde reiterated.

The Permanent Secretary stated that the water levels of all tributaries including the Oyan Dam are rising and is one of the contributory factors to the possibility of the likely flooding at downstream flow of Ogun River.

Shodeinde, stressed that the same applies to all the channels and tributaries that discharges into the lagoon which may experience tidal lock and flow back because of the high water level that prevent discharges, leading to flash flooding.

Since Oyan River Is one of major tributaries to Ogun River, it is expected that other tributaries will also contribute much to the likely flood downstream flow of Ogun River In mitigating the flood this year, the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authorit

He commended the authorities of the Ogun Oshun Basin Development Authority OSRBDA for ensuring that the water releases are being regulated without compromising Oyan Dam integrity while still being guided by all the Seasonal Rainfall Patterns issued by the various agencies.

“As at end of end of August, the Ogun-Oshun River Basin has increased its Daily Releases to 21.4 million cubic meters (mcm) Volume of Water so as to create more space in order to regulate the expected inflow of water from the Catchment Upstream in September this year.

“By September, 2023, water releases might rise to average of 22.0 – 24.0 million cubic meter (mcm) per day, this amount of water that will be released shall depend on rate at which water flows into the Reservoir and the height measured in the Reservoir”, the statement quoted the OSRBA added.

Shodeinde added that the alert has become necessary because there is much water to be expected in September 2023 in addition to the heavy downpours that is usually associated with the months of September and December every year along Ogun River Basin and other related predictions and warning from Nigeria Metrological Services (NIMET), Nigeria Hydrological Services (NIHSA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)and other related Agencies.

Also speaking on the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroun to the Benue River, Engr. Shodeinde, assured residents of the state that only 11 states namely: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Cross River will be affected by the releases from Lagdo and there is obviously no connection between the Lagdo dam releases and operations of Oyan Dam and the water releases Forecast for Flood Control in Lagos and Ogun State.

Shodeinde, reiterated his appeal to all residents across the state to be wary of the fact that Lagos is a coastal city that is bound to experience flash flood and it is expedient for them to cooperate with the state government in ensuring the success of measures put in place including the early warning alert to mitigate the effects of flash flooding.
VANGUARD

Metro

BREAKING: BIZARRE! Millions Lost As Delta Man Sets Own Shop Ablaze

Published

6 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

A yet-to-be-identified man suspected to have taken hard drugs on Tuesday night set his own furniture shop ablaze in the Saniko community, Agbarah-Otor, in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The man, believed to be in his 40s, our source said set the furniture shop containing modern furniture worth millions of naira ablaze, and chased anyone who attempted to intervene with matchett until he was overpowered by the community youths.

Our source who does not want his name in print narrated via the phone: “It actually happened this night. Nobody knows what fell on him to have set his own shop ablaze, but the belief his that he must have taken some hard drugs.

“The man should be in his 40s. He set the shop ablaze, and when people attention was drawn to it, they rushed there but he chased them with cutlass. He was chasing people with cutlass until the youth mobilised and overpowered him, and as I speak with you, he has been tied down, naked.

“I don’t know his name, and nobody has identified with him as a relation, but the point is, millions have been lost. All the modern furniture in the shops have turned to ashes. The shop is completely burnt down.”

Contacted on the phone, Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe said the Command was not aware of the incident.

He said: “Inasmuch he set his own shop ablaze, and nobody died, nobody will come to the Police to report it. And since nobody will come to report such an incident to the Police, it’s assumed the Police are not aware.”

Metro

Seven Journalists On Their Way To Colleague’s Marriage, FG Reacts

Published

13 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the tragic death of seven journalists who were confirmed killed in a lone road crash in the Gombe South area of Gombe State on Monday.

The incident occurred on Monday evening as the journalists were returning from a wedding ceremony in the Gombe South Senatorial District. They were said to have traveled in solidarity with a colleague from the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, who was getting married.

According to preliminary information from the Gombe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Samson Kaura, the crash was fatal.

The Minister described the tragedy as a heartbreaking loss to the media community and the nation, noting that the journalists were committed voices who informed the public with courage, integrity, and professionalism.

“This is a harrowing moment. Nigeria has lost dedicated voices who informed, educated, and stood for truth. Their passing is a heavy blow to us all,” he said.

The Minister extended his condolences to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Gombe State Council, and especially to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. He prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the painful loss.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. May Almighty God grant them comfort and grant the souls of the departed eternal rest,” he added.

“We stand in solidarity with the NUJ and the entire media community at this difficult time. We must continue to work together to improve safety measures for those who serve the nation daily,” he said.

He assured that the Federal Government stands with the bereaved families and the media community during this moment of grief. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.

Metro

VIDEO: Chaos As Last-minute Shoppers Overwhelm Lagos Balogun Market

Published

14 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Large crowds on Tuesday overwhelmed Balogun Market on Lagos Island as residents trooped out in their numbers for last-minute year-end shopping, crippling movement around the commercial hub.

A viral video making the rounds online showed extreme congestion within and around the market, with traders and shoppers barely able to move as they jostled for limited space in one of Lagos’ busiest trading centres.

The footage captured scenes of tightly packed walkways and stalled human traffic, as buyers scrambled to complete end-of-year purchases ranging from clothes and shoes to household items.

The gridlock is largely being blamed on Nigerians’ long-standing culture of last-minute shopping, often described as “panic buying,” where many delay festive purchases until the final days of the year.

Balogun Market, known for its wholesale and retail activities, traditionally experiences a spike in patronage toward the end of the year.

As of the time of reporting, no incidents had been confirmed, though the situation highlights the recurring challenge of overcrowding during peak festive periods in Lagos.

Watch the video below:

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐨𝐬 𝐀𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭-𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐦 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭
Credit: X | dammiedammie
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