NEMA Rescue Three In Lagos As Heavy Downpour Mars Salah Celebrations

By Akinwale Kasali

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA says it has rescued three persons alive following Saturday’s heavy downpour that wrecked havoc in Lagos and Ogun states.

The rain which coincided with the Salah celebrations saw most parts of the State flooded, with lives and property lost in its wake.

For instance,  Emergency workers were seen trying to rescue three persons from a Lexus Jeep that  was submerged in the heavy flood around Oyatoki area of Agege, Orile Agege Local Council Development Area of the State.

The endless rain also marred the usual Salah celebrations by Muslim faithful who had planned to mark the yearly event with pomp.

In a statement signed by Ibrahim Farinloye, the Zonal Coordinator, South-West of NEMA, he said emergency workers from the states joined to assist residents affected during the rainfall.

Farinloye cited an incident involving two vehicles, a Lexus Jeep carrying three persons and a Toyota with three occupants.

According to him, the six persons were reported to have been swept away when rainwater overflowed an uncompleted canal in the area

“The residents reportedly warned the people in the vehicles to desist from passing through the road but they were adamant, but drove through, and they were swept away,

“One of the people in the Toyota refused, dropped down from the vehicle, the other two drove and they are the only ones missing presently.

“All together, three rescued alive, one jumped out to safety, while the remaining two are missing,” he said.

Farinloye said the emergency officials who participated in the rescue efforts  included the Lagos State Fire Service, NEMA, LASEMA, Police and other well meaning Nigerians from the community.

“Search and rescue operations are ongoing in search of the other two persons.

“The community members are mobilised due to the fact that they know the terrain of the canal and successfully rescued the four persons,” he added