In a heartbreaking turn of events, a young primary school pupil named Joshua was tragically swept away by floodwaters in the Ketu, Ikosi area of Lagos State.
A day that began like any other for Joshua and his classmates ended in tragedy as the school children made their way home from school. Unaware of the looming danger, they were caught off guard by the sudden surge of floodwater that descended upon them, sweeping the young Joshua away and leaving his peers shocked and traumatized.
As news of the tragedy spread, Joshua’s mother, a hardworking fruit seller, was plunged into unfathomable grief. Overcome with sorrow and shock, she wept inconsolably, her sobs echoing the crushing loss of her only child.
“Joshua died hungry and cold. He was in primary six; he was supposed to write his common entrance exam,” she told Daily Trust.
Narrating the incident to newsmen, a local youth leader named Oloyede said he spotted a group of children braving the elements, their tiny frames seemingly impervious to the downpour. Alarmed by the danger posed by the rising waters, Oloyede called out to the children, urging them to take caution as they navigated the treacherous conditions. Despite his efforts, the dire warning came too late for Joshua, whose life was tragically cut short by the unforgiving currents.
“But unfortunately, the plank that was used to bridge the canal was completely covered by water, and they fell into the drainage.
“I managed to swim and rescue one of them, but unfortunately, Joshua was swept away by the heavy currents and died,” he said.
A community leader, who spoke off the record, blamed the government for abandoning a project to channel the drainage, leaving the area prone to flooding.
