Rainstorm destroys houses, renders Lagos, Ogun families homeless…

The National Emergency Management Agency has confirmed that no fewer than 336 families and 228 buildings were affected by wind and rainstorms that wreaked havoc in various communities in Lagos State on May 1 and 15, 2023.

The Lagos Coordinator, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, while confirming the development in a statement on Monday, said no casualty or fatality was recorded during the rainstorm.

He, however, urged members of the public to exercise restraint on their activities, especially during working hours.

“Children must not be allowed to play outside or sent on errands hours before rainfall. School authorities must be protective and train the children to hide under their furniture to protect them from the effect of falling objects. We must avoid taking refuge under temporary structures and trees,” he added.

Meanwhile, in the Arepo community of the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, landlords, residents and business owners have been thrown into confusion after rainstorm destroyed roofs of structures including shopping complexes, a school, a church, and a petrol station in the community.

It was gathered that the roofs of the factories of some companies located opposite Arepo, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, were also damaged by the rainstorm that started around 2am on Monday.

A welder, who gave his name as Alfa, and also lives in the Arepo community, said the rainstorm destroyed the roof of his flat, adding that he and his family members were sleeping when the incident happened.

Some of the electricity poles along Palace Road in the Arepo community were also observed to have been slanted, causing the wires to be on the ground in the area.