In a tragic turn of events that underscores the devastating impact of Nigeria’s worsening flood crisis, a 60-year-old motorcyclist, Wasiu Babatunde Adeniran, lost his life after being swept away by a ferocious flood along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in the Alakuko area of Lagos State.
The heart-wrenching incident occurred around 4:00 PM on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, during a torrential downpour that submerged roads and paralysed movement across parts of the state. Eyewitnesses recount that Adeniran, navigating through the flooded roadway, lost control of his motorcycle as he attempted to brave the rising waters. In an instant, he was overwhelmed by the aggressive currents and dragged beneath the surface—his motorcycle vanishing along with him.
Locals launched an immediate search, and by 6:00 PM that same evening, the motorcycle was recovered. However, the whereabouts of Adeniran remained unknown through the night, sparking growing concern among residents and his loved ones.
The grim discovery came the next morning—Wednesday, May 21—when his lifeless body surfaced several kilometres away at the Obasanjo River in Ota, Ogun State. The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the tragic development in a statement issued by the spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin.
The statement read:
“On 21/05/25 at about 1230hrs, a report was received that on 20/05/25 at about 1600hrs, one Wasiu Babatunde Adeniran ‘m’ aged 60 years, a motorcycle rider, fell off his motorcycle while riding along Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway, Alakuko, during heavy rainfall. He was dragged by the flood along with his motorcycle. The motorcycle was recovered at about 1800hrs on the same day, while the body was found at Obasanjo River, Ota, Ogun State, at about 0900hrs on 21/05/25.”
Following the discovery, detectives visited the scene, took photographs of the deceased, and deposited the body in a public morgue for autopsy. An investigation is currently underway to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
This latest incident brings renewed attention to the recurring dangers posed by inadequate drainage infrastructure and the perils faced by residents during Nigeria’s rainy season. As climate change continues to intensify weather patterns, calls have grown louder for both state and federal governments to urgently address urban flooding with proactive and sustainable solutions.
PIONEER NEWS 