A four-year-old girl was swept away by flood following the torrential downpour in Lagos on Thursday.
Identified simply as Azizat, the child was said to have been swept away while trying to relocate to a higher ground with other residents.
Azizat, it was gathered, mistakenly missed her step into a drainage that was covered with flood water and was swept away.
The incident occurred at 38 Fashola Street, off Odebode Street, Papa Ashafa, Orile Agege where she lived with her parents before the unfortunate incident.
The spokesperson of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the incident in a press statement.
He said that NEMA and its Lagos State counterpart, LASEMA, have put resources together in recovery operations as soon as distressed alert was received, adding that the body has not been recovered.
Farinloye also quoted the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk, as appealing to parents and guardians to pay special attention on their children and wards against playing in the rain or running water in the period.
It stated: “NEMA has enjoined residents of Lagos State to look out for a body of a four-year-old girl.
“Azizat, who was swept away by floodwater from Fashola Street, Papa Ashafa in Orile Agege in Lagos State. Expectedly, the floodwater from Fashola Street runs through Aboru; Iyana Ipaja; Command in Lagos State; cross to Ota in Ogun State but end up at Agbara where the canal will discharge into the sea.
“NEMA and LASEMA have put resources together in recovery operations as soon as distressed alert was received but the body has not been recovered.
“This necessitated the call on the people in these areas with credible information on the recovery of the body to call the attention of emergency/security agency in their area if body is noticed.”
In another development, four buildings partially collapsed and two women were rescued including a pregnant woman, who slumped but was revived immediately.
The buildings collapsed at Ashade Quarters behind Guinness while the two women lived at 26 Railway line.
Eighteen households in a compound have been advised to evacuate number 18 Railway Line, Ashade Quarter, Agege for the safety of their lives as the downpour has weakened the building though the occupants of the building have expressed readiness for evacuation.
On this note, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk, has appealed to parents and guardians to take special attention on their children and wards against playing in the rain or running water in the period.
She further appealed to Nigerians to relocate to upper ground as soon as they notice that drainages and canals are overflowing.
The minister also enjoined parents that in the process of relocation to higher ground, the children and women must be protected and safeguarded in emergency situation.
Farouk further implored motorists to take extra caution while driving in the rain especially when there is flooding.
They were enjoined to leave their vehicles and stay in upper ground and not under trees or temporary sheds.
The minister advised nursing mothers on protecting their babies against exposure to cold that could lead to children pneumonia.
