Seven persons have been reportedly killed during a heavy rainfall in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The rain started on Sunday evening and was still on, though drizzling, at 6:00 p.m. on Monday.
Even though the deaths could not be independently confirm, residents of the affected communities in Oluyole Local Government Area of the State said the victims were swept away by the flood while trying to cross a bridge, which, unknown to them, had already collapsed under the water.
Areas that were mostly afected include: Arapaja, Akala new extension, and Lao hospital area where some people reportedly fell into the flood waters when they tried to cross the flood-covered collapsed bridge. Commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators, who were not aware that the bridge had caved in, fell into the flowing erosion and were swept away.
A fire service department official who did not want his name disclosed as he was not authorised to speak, said only two persons were affected. He said when the state fire service was informed, its officials moved in to rescue the victims.
When contacted, the Oyo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Okuwobi-Ilobanafor, said she got the information that an old man, an okada man and his passenger were swept away by the flood; while some other victims of the collapsed bridge were rescued. She said she was yet to confirm the report. Efforts to speak with the interim chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area, Ayodeji Abass, were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.
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