Residents Seek Urgent Government, International Community Support

Residents of Surulere Community in Ibu-Aje, Osogbo, Osun State, have appealed for urgent intervention from the Osun State Government, relevant emergency management agencies and the international community following a devastating midnight flood that destroyed houses and valuable properties.

The residents said the flood occurred suddenly during the night, leaving many families with little or no time to evacuate their belongings before fleeing their homes to safety.

Speaking on the incident, the Chairman of Surulere Community, Prince Olarinoye Abiodun, expressed gratitude to God for the survival of residents, while appealing to the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and relevant government authorities to urgently come to the aid of the affected families.

According to him, the flood started around midnight and spread rapidly across the community.

He explained that because of the speed and severity of the flooding, many residents could not rescue their properties before escaping to safety.

Prince Olarinoye expressed particular concern about the possible cause of the disaster, noting that there was no river close to the affected community. He called for appropriate authorities to investigate the cause of the flooding and provide a lasting solution.

He appealed to the state government to provide immediate relief materials and other forms of assistance to victims whose homes and livelihoods had been affected.

The community chairman also called on the Commissioner responsible for Environment, the emergency management authorities and other relevant agencies to urgently assess the situation, provide relief to affected families and take preventive measures against a recurrence.

Residents recount ordeal

One of the residents, Mr. Gbadebo Ismail, popularly known as Onaara, said the flood began around midnight, while residents became fully aware of the severity of the situation at about 1:00 a.m.

According to him, the situation was so serious that residents had virtually no time to properly pack their belongings before running to safety.

Mr. Ismail appealed to the government and humanitarian organisations to assist the affected residents, saying the community never expected such a devastating flood.

He also called for an investigation into the source of the flood, stressing that there was no nearby river that residents could immediately identify as the cause.

Another resident, Mrs. Adebisi Abidemi, described the rainfall as extremely heavy and said the flooding began during the night.

She said several properties were destroyed, while some belongings were damaged beyond repair.

Mrs. Abidemi appealed to the Osun State Government to provide immediate assistance to victims and put in place measures that would prevent future flooding in the community.

Similarly, Mrs. Omotoso Ajobikoseke said she was away from home when the incident occurred but was contacted by the community chairman and asked to return after the situation became serious.

She said the flood damaged equipment and tools she had purchased for her children.

Ajobikoseke appealed to the Osun State Government to urgently find a lasting solution to the flooding and support families whose properties were destroyed.

Another resident, Mr. Fatai Taofeek, also appealed for government assistance, saying the flood entered his house and destroyed some of his properties.

Call for wider intervention

The affected residents collectively called for urgent intervention from the Osun State Government, emergency management agencies, humanitarian organisations and the international community.

They appealed for relief materials, financial assistance and other forms of support to enable affected families recover from the disaster.

Beyond immediate relief, the residents urged the authorities to conduct a proper assessment of the area to determine the cause of the flooding and develop a sustainable drainage and flood-prevention solution.

The community chairman, Prince Olarinoye Abiodun, concluded by urging the Osun State Government, the Governor and relevant emergency management authorities to respond urgently to the plight of the people of Ibu-Aje.

He prayed that God would grant the authorities the wisdom, strength and resources required to provide relief for the affected residents and prevent a recurrence of the disaster.