Society Gist Editor
Ude Emmanuel
A devastating flood has brought life to a standstill in parts of the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, as residents battle with rising waters that have submerged homes, roads, and businesses. The torrential rains, which began late Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday, left large portions of the community impassable, forcing residents to form human chains to navigate the streets.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and desperation as entire families were seen linking arms to wade through waist-deep waters in an effort to reach safety or access essential services. In some cases, schoolchildren were carried on the shoulders of adults, while small traders abandoned their kiosks to salvage what little remained of their goods.
“This is the worst we’ve seen in years,” said Mrs. Adebayo, a shop owner in Agric area. “We are completely cut off. The water is inside homes, inside shops. People can’t even get to the main road.”
The worst-hit areas include Ojokoro, Odogunyan, and parts of Igbogbo, where poor drainage and ongoing road construction have worsened the impact of the flood. Residents accuse the government of negligence, citing long-standing complaints about inadequate infrastructure and poor flood management.
Videos shared on social media show long queues of people holding hands across flowing water, some guiding children and the elderly across makeshift stepping points. The images have drawn both sympathy and outrage, with many Nigerians calling on state and federal authorities to act swiftly.
“We need immediate intervention,” said Mr. Ibrahim Lawal, a community youth leader. “If people have to form human chains to cross the street in Lagos in 2025, then something is seriously wrong.”
Local emergency services have been slow to respond, with many residents saying they have yet to see government officials or relief agencies in the area. With more rain predicted in the coming days, fears are growing that the situation could deteriorate further.
Environmental experts say Ikorodu’s flooding is part of a larger issue affecting Lagos, where urban planning and climate change have combined to increase the frequency and intensity of floods. As calls grow louder for both immediate relief and long-term solutions, Ikorodu residents continue to live in uncertainty, with their daily lives now dictated by the rising tides.
