15 Die In Ibadan Flood

No fewer than 15 persons lost their lives in the aftermath of a heavy downpour that lasted for many hours last Friday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Also, properties worth millions of naira were destroyed by the rain.

Among the casualties were a family of four at Agbowo, three persons suspected to be students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, three Okada riders and a middle-aged man was killed by lightening at the Academy area of the town.

An eye witness told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that a young man was feared dead at Oluyole Estate, opposite Vine Hospital, while struggling to escape when his residence was flooded.

Many houses collapsed in the town, forcing their occupants to relocate to safer places and vehicles seeking alternative roads for safety.

Areas mostly affected are Olunloyo, Olunde, Olomi, Sango, Ikolaba, Odo Ona Elewe, Iyana Church, Awolowo side of the State Secretariat Road, where people counted their losses yesterday.

Intermittent announcements on local radio stations warned members of the public to keep away from Eleyele Dam for security reasons.

Churches and mosques were not spared from damages caused by the downpour as vigils put in place at Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church (SPAC) at Sango area, Polytechnic Road, Ibadan was cancelled because the church was overflooded.

The same occurred at the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), Amuda Oojere Area of Ibadan, where the congregation was sent back home from the church by the flood. The same occurred at Cornerstone Baptist Church at Gbopa Area of the state capital.

Passengers who were trapped in the town were made to pay exorbitant transport fares as fares rose by over 300 percent.

Motorcyclists exploited the situation as they charged over N200 for N30 worth transport fares.

Both the state and local governments were brainstorming on the how to assist the victims as at the time of filing this report.