Floodwaters have overwhelmed parts of the Ijede community in Ikorodu, Lagos State, leaving many residents stranded and calling for urgent assistance from the government.
The flooding, which occurred after prolonged rainfall between Sunday, August 3, and Monday, August 4, 2025, submerged homes, streets, and vehicles, disrupting daily life in the area.
In viral videos shared on X by users @tokunbo_wahab and @ChuksEricE, a distressed woman could be heard speaking in Yoruba, pleading for help. “We are in Oko Ope in Ijede. Have mercy on us. This is our community. We can’t even enter our houses; the flood has destroyed everything. I’m barefoot. Please come to our aid. Today is August 4, 2025. Rescue us,” she cried.
Another video showed a man expressing frustration over the condition of his property. “This is my situation in Ijede. Since August 3 till this morning, everything inside and outside my house is underwater. It’s like an ocean. Look at the cars submerged in water.”
Responding to the situation, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, acknowledged the viral videos and the concerns raised by residents. In a post on X, he stated, “We are aware of the circulating videos and understand the distress caused.”
He assured residents that the ongoing drainage project in the area, initiated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, is aimed at providing a long-term solution to flooding in Ikorodu.
“I have instructed the contractor to begin immediate excavation work toward the discharge point and to prioritise the construction of culverts,” Wahab said. “The concrete lining phase of the project will continue once the culverts are in place.”
He also extended an apology to residents for the current challenges. “We understand the hardship residents are experiencing. This inconvenience is temporary. The work being done now is foundational and will result in a lasting improvement to infrastructure and quality of life in the area. Our goal is to deliver durable and efficient infrastructure.”
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had previously issued a warning about heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding in several regions of the country from Monday through Wednesday.
