CITIZENS COMPASS —Two sisters from a family aged 18 and 16, were recovered dead while four other passengers were rescued when a boat capsized in Isawo, Agric area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
They were 18 years old Misturat Okunbanjo and 16 years old Azeezat Amoo.
Though the incident was reported at about 8p.m. on Thursday, October 26, 2023, along Yewa Road, off Olainukan bustop, Isawo, Agric, but the bodies of both sisters were recovered on Friday morning.
According to eye witnesses’ accounts, the area became flooded when a river overflowed following release of dams as announced by the state and federal government.
Speaking with Citizens Compass on Friday, an eye witness, Adedeji Adedarasimi said those residing at Yewa Inside and Wood Island Estate were mostly affected as they could not cross the river except with the aid of boats.
He said, following the overflow, some residents made brisk business by constructing boats to ferry people across the river at the rate of N100 per trip.
According to him, the business was booming until the tragedy was recorded on Thursday.
The boat capsized on Thursday evening,
he said.
The boat was crossing ftom Olorunsogo to Isawo when it capsized.
The eye witness said local divers made frantic efforts as soon as the incident occurred but when they were unsuccessful, they called for the state emergency services unfortunately, four people were rescued while both sisters were missing as at Thursday night but search and rescued continued till day break until their bodues were recovered.
He said the deceased sisters were of the same father, but different mother.
A resident of Olainukan said the area is usually flooded at rainy season and residents construct makeshift bridges to access the area but at the opening of a dam, the river overflows and becomes inaccessible except with the use of canoes.
Confirming the incident on behalf of Margaret Adeseye, the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Ololade Agboola, Deputy Director Public Affairs of the Agency said six occupants were onboard of the ill-fated canoe.
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service conducted overnight operations and successfully rescued four female adults while recovering two others in the Isawo community of the Ikorodu area of Lagos.
” The accident was reported at 20:16 hours on Thursday, prompting the deployment of the Search and Rescue Crew from the Agency.
The crew collaborated with locals who were familiar with the terrain. Despite the darkness, the search continued until late night when it was suspended.
Four of the six victims on board the capsized boat crossing from Olorunsogo to Isawo were rescued.
The crew resumed their efforts in the early hours of Friday to continue the search. Unfortunately, they recovered the bodies of two females, identified as Misturat Okunbanjo, 18, and Azeezat Amoo, 16.
The recovery operation concluded at approximately 10:10 hours.
“Margaret Adeseye, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, expresses regret over the suspected deceased victims. She also emphasizes the importance of avoiding unsafe acts around waterways and highlights ongoing efforts to educate and sensitize communities on measures to prevent such incidents.”
Recall that Lagos State government has urged communities on the fringe of the Ogun River to relocate immediately, warning that there could be heavy flooding following heavy rainfall and the opening of the Oyan dam by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority.
The State’s Ministry of Environment in a statement signed by the Commissioner, Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, listed the areas likely to be affected to include Alagbole, Meiran, Maidan, Kara, Isheri-Olowora, Agiliti, Owode-Onirin, Owode-Elede, Agboyi I, Agboyi II, Ajegunle, Itowolo, Majidun, Ibeshe, Baiyeku, Maidan, Lekki-Ajah and the Lagos Lagoon boundaries.
Wahab, said following the incidence of flooding already being experienced in the neighbourhood of Ajegunle, Kara, the flooding was likely to become worse.
