Metro

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

Published

9 months ago

September 3, 2023

Editor

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

Osun Football Coach In DSS Net For Attempting To Sodomize Player

Published

27 mins ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

A football coach working with a male football team in Osogbo, Osun State, simply identified as Adebisi, has been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services while attempting to sodomise one of his players.

Sources in the Isale Osun Area of Osogbo, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for safety reasons, said the suspect was arrested in the area last Wednesday by DSS operatives, who acted on tip-off.

It was further learned that Adebisi met the victim, identified simply as Michael during a training session at Fakunle Comprehensive High School, Osogbo, and took him to a secluded place, where he attempted to touch his genitals.

But while that was on, a guard working in the school, said to be moving around, suddenly appeared, and thus frustrated the plan of the coach, The PUNCH reports.

The victim, while narrating his encounter with the coach said, “What happened is that I met Coach Adebisi at the playground of Fakunle Comprehensive High School, Osogbo.

“I know him and some of his ex-players very well. I went there to train. After training, he took me to a secluded area within the compound and he wanted to touch my genitals.

“I was displeased. I didn’t allow him. When I told a few other players, they condemned his action and advised me that I should block him and stop chatting with him.

“I also told an elderly person who asked me to unblock him but the matter was reported to the DSS office in Osogbo.

“So, I played along and we started chatting again. About two Saturdays ago, he invited me to Fakunle Playground again.”

He continued, “After training, he took me to a secluded area and showed me his private part. While that was on, a security guard passed by and saw us.

“But the guard didn’t know what was going on. We left the place. Last Wednesday, he invited me to a place around Isale Osun, Osogbo. I told the DSS operatives about it.

“I met Adebisi in a house there. I was told the place belonged to his brother. I was with him in the room.

“We were gisting, but later, he moved towards me and told me to remove my clothes and trousers and I obeyed him.

“For the period I was with him, I was on chat with the captain of my team updating him about happenings.

“He was touching my genitals. Because he felt I was not aroused, he brought out his mobile phone and played porn videos to put me in the mood. We were still in the room when some DSS operatives came in and arrested him. Since then, he has been in their custody.”

When contacted, the Director, of DSS’s Directorate of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Dr Peter Afunaya, confirmed Adebisi’s arrest.

Afunaya in a message sent to our correspondent said, “The investigation is still ongoing. Besides him, many other human traffickers were intercepted.”

Metro

Woman Sets Stepchildren’s Hands On Fire For Allegedly Eating Rice Prepared For Husband

Published

10 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

A woman identified as Rachel Geoffrey, 23, has been arrested by the Adamawa State Police Command for setting the hands of her two stepchildren on fire.

The suspect who resides in Federal Housing Estate, Girei Local Government Area was arrested for setting fire to the hands of her stepchildren, Genesis Geoffrey, 7, and Idadai, 3.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, who confirmed the incident, said Geoffrey intentionally inflicted severe physical injuries on the 7 and 3-year-old children on May 7.

He said the victims faced several calculated acts of cruelty and Human Rights Violations from their stepmother after the separation of their mother from their father.

According to him, Genesis and Ijadai got their stepmother angry after eating the plate of rice she had cooked and kept for her husband, because they were hungry.

Reacting, she tied their hands with handkerchiefs and set fire to their hands, resulting in the severe injuries they sustained.

The Commissioner of Police CP Dankombo Morris, expressed worries as he advised members of the public particularly parents to live up to expectations by providing the basic needs of their wards. He also vowed to diligently make sure that the suspect is persecuted.

Metro

Tragedy Struck In Osun As Three siblings, Mother Die In Auto Crash

Published

23 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

Three siblings and their mother, identified as Cecilia were reported dead in a ghastly auto accident in Osun State on Saturday.

It was gathered that a car heading to Ibadan from Osogbo had a head-on collision with a motorcycle carrying a woman and four of her children back home from a vigil at Odeomu in Ayedaade local government area.

According to an eye witness Usman Ademola, the motorcyclist carried two of the children in front, another one in the middle while a toddler was wrapped behind the woman.

According to VANGUARD, the two children died on the spot in the incident that occurred between Odeomu and Oogi where the motorcycle was headed.

Also, the woman and the motorcyclist identified as Abraham died while the child behind the woman seems to have survived the incident.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that a mob that gathered at the scene set the car ablaze along with two of the occupants after the driver had escaped from the scene.

Osun police command spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola added that the two occupants were rescued from the car by police operatives and were rushed to a hospital in the state capital.

She added that policemen were deployed to the area to maintain peace and order.