At least two people reportedly drowned on Monday in a river along Secretariat-University of Ibadan Road following a downpour that lasted more than one hour.

An eyewitness said some motorists plying the route were unaware that the firm handling the project had diverted traffic to a section of the road.

He said at least two motorists were swept away while trying to manoeuvre through the flood. Two vehicles, a black Toyota Corrolla with number plate OY 55 –A66 and a Toyota Hiace commercial bus marked XG 85 NRR, were swept away from the road.

Another eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, said the occupants of the commercial vehicle disembarked leaving the driver and the conductor in the vehicle. She said the occupant of the government vehicle (a female) also disembarked while the driver made an attempt to manoeuvre.

The government vehicle had its windsreen broken.

The Police Public Relation Officer, Oyo State Police Command, Mrs. Olabisi Okuwobi (DSP), who confirmed the incident, said a Honda car was also trapped inside the river. She said the car was recovered by the construction firm.

However, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Mallam Tambari Muhammed, said he was at the scene of the incident on Monday night. He said, “There was no casualty and nobody drowned.”

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has ordered the immediate closure of the road.

The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Adeyemo, who ordered the closure of the road on Monday while on an assessment tour of the site, said it was necessary in order to ensure speedy completion of the road.

Adeyemo said, “We thank God that there were no casualties. Immediately the flood was brought to our notice, we mobilised everyone here. We were here till 2am on Tuesday and did not leave until we ensured that the flood did no damage to human beings and property.”


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