In a heartbreaking incident in Lagos State, a pupil named Joshua tragically lost his life after being swept away by floodwaters in the Ikosi, Ketu area. The persistent rainfall, which began on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, wreaked havoc across the state, submerging buildings, cars, and roads. Amidst the devastation, Joshua was returning home from school alongside his classmates when the unfortunate event occurred on Taiwo Street in Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos.
Joshua’s mother, a fruit seller, is now left in serious grief. Tearfully, she lamented the loss of her only child, revealing that Joshua was supposed to write his common entrance exam. The grief-stricken mother, who had already lost her home in a fire incident, pleaded with the public for help in recovering her son, promising to do anything to bring him back.
A witness, known in the area as Oloyede, recounted the tragic incident. He had seen the children walking in the rain and warned them to be cautious due to the area’s conditions. Unfortunately, the plank used to bridge the canal was completely submerged, and Joshua fell into the drainage. Despite Oloyede’s efforts to rescue one of the children, Joshua was swept away by the heavy currents and lost his life.
The community blames the government for abandoning a drainage project, leaving the area vulnerable to flooding. Although the project had started in January, it was left unfinished, resulting in waterlogged streets during every rainfall.
