6th May, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
A Lagos State Drain Ducks worker has reportedly been trapped in an underground drainage in Onipanu area of the state with effort being made to rescue him.
Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said following an SOS message on distress situation of a drainage worker, the agency activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from its Onipanu base.
“Upon arrival of the emergency responders at the incident scene, investigations revealed that an adult male de-silting drainages along that axis in attempts to clear a blocked portion, accessed the underground tunnel and got trapped.
“Further investigation at the incident scene revealed that the man was a Drain Ducks worker employed by LAMATA, while trying to dislodge and evacuate debris from the underground drainage and unfortunately got trapped in between the tunnel,” he said.
Oke-Osanyintolu said in conducting the Search and Rescue Operation, LASEMA Response Team and all emergency responders were working together assiduously to rescue the trapped victim from inside the underground drainage which commenced at 4:25pm
“In order to hasten positive results, sophisticated equipment has been deployed in penetration of the man-hole to save the worker’s life, while strategic efforts has also been employed to block off, and divert inflow of water from the Ilupeju axis so as to reduce the volume of underground fluids,” he said.