Hours of heavy rainfall on Wednesday triggered severe flooding across parts of Ondo State, submerging a section of the Lagos–Ore–Benin Expressway in Odigbo Local Government Area, displacing residents and destroying property worth millions of naira.
The floodwaters overwhelmed major roads and communities, leaving motorists stranded and causing gridlock along the Lagos–Ore–Benin corridor, a major route for the movement of passengers, petroleum products and other goods.
In Ondo town, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area, several locations, including Itanla Junction, Onipakala Junction and the UNIMED Road axis, were inundated. Vehicles, including those belonging to staff of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), were damaged, while commuters faced major disruptions.
The flooding also affected communities in Odigbo, Irele, Ode-Aye and Igbokoda, where rising water levels forced many residents to flee their homes after houses and business premises were submerged.
Although no deaths were recorded, several families were displaced, with many residents blaming the recurring flooding on prolonged rainfall and blocked drainage channels.
One of the affected travellers, Joshua Oladele, described the experience on the Lagos–Ore–Benin Expressway as frightening, urging the government to take urgent steps to prevent a recurrence.
“Everyone was stranded. No one expected the Lagos–Ore–Benin Highway to be affected by flooding. The government should urgently intervene to prevent this from happening again,” he said.
Residents of the affected communities also appealed to the government and relevant authorities to implement lasting solutions to the recurring flooding threatening lives and property.
Reacting to the incident, the Ondo State Government expressed sympathy with affected residents and acknowledged the extent of the damage caused by the flood.
The Commissioner for Environment, Tob Loko, said the government had already identified several flood-prone areas for intervention, adding that recent reports had revealed more locations requiring urgent attention.
He noted that while it might not be possible to address all affected communities immediately, the government remained committed to tackling the challenge through coordinated and sustained efforts.
Loko also disclosed that amphibious excavators were being deployed through the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical and Ecological Control to carry out emergency clearing and channelisation of waterways.
He urged residents to promptly report flooding incidents and other environmental concerns to the Ministry of Environment and relevant agencies to support ongoing mitigation efforts.
