Three feared dead as flood ravages Osun

Three persons were feared dead on Tuesday night when flood swept through Osogbo, capital of Osun State after a heavy downpour.

Several parts of the capital, including Ibu-Amon bridge, Jetu stream, Oke-Onitea stream, Rasco area via Old Garage, Oke Baale, Powerline, Testing ground, Obate, and Awesin in Erin-Osun were badly affected.

About 25 meters of the perimeter fence of the Osun Government House also collapsed.

It was gathered that three persons died at Oke-Onitea and Okejetu areas while attempting to pass through the flood.

One of the victims was said to be a motorcyclist using the road at Oke-Onitea area while another unidentified man was swept away.

Another house owner died in the flood at Awesin, a resident, Olawuyi Adeleke confirmed.

Security operatives diverted vehicular movements from Lamco junction and Oke-Fai en route the Government House so a temporary perimeter fence can be constructed.

At Powerline, the rail track was endangered as flood eroded all the sand beneath the tracks away, suspending only the iron on air.

Spokesperson of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Osun Command, Daniel Adigun, confirmed a man drowned at Oke-Onitea and a woman died at Okejetu area.

The corpses, he said, were recovered on the spot.

Osun State Government called for calm among residents and assured victims it was already assessing the impact of the floods.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemonde, informed government has activated its emergency response system, comprising stakeholders in disaster management, including environmental management officers, health workers, and security agencies to respond efficiently to the incident where necessary.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola on Wednesday evening conducted on- the- spot assessment of the areas affected by the flood.