7 people dead as incessant rains hit many parts of Oyo state

An unusual downpour has been witnessed in
Ibadan, the Oyo State capital as the rain has
been pouring since Sunday evening with little

respite.
Activities in the ancient city were paralyzed
all through Monday and at least 7 people are
feared dead.
According to reports, the areas worst hit were
the Oluyole, Arapaja, Akala new extension
and Lao hospital areas of the city.

The downpour also created heavy traffic snarl
in major parts of the city, especially Mokola,
Agbarigo, Onireke, Dugbe and Apata. Some
residents of the affected area, it was
gathered, have started relocating for fear of
been washed away by the flood.
It was gathered that some people in Oluyole
area fell into a collapsed bridge that was
covered by the flood from the heavy
downpour. In the same area, it was gathered
that a man who attempted crossing the road
was also washed away.
Some commercial motorcycle and tricycle
operators, who were not aware that the
bridge had caved in, also fell into the flood
and were swept away.
A source at the state Fire Service department
confirmed the development. The source
however could confirm only two deaths. The
Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP
Olabisi Ilobanafor, said the police was
informed of the death of an old man, an
okada rider and his passenger.
Several efforts made to contact the Chairman
of the Caretaker Chairman of Oluyole Local
Government, Ayodeji Abass, were
unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.
As at the time of filing this report, the rain
was still drizzling.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi's administration had
embarked on the dredging of most rivers in
the city and construction of drainage in order
to avoid a repeat of August 26, 2011 flood
disaster in the state, which led to several
deaths.