From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
THREE persons were feared dead in a rain which fell in Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Wednesday evening.
Eyewitnesses claimed that two pupils at Gbekuba area of Apata in Iddo Local Government Area were swept away by the flood after the rain. But the police said no live was lost.
Apart from the two pupils, one motorcycle was found at Omi Adio when the flood subsided but the rider was not seen. It was gathered that policemen attached to police division in Apata rescued a pastor and his family, at a branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Apata, when water submerged major parts of the church. The family was trapped in the church during the downpour.
While the rain affected communities close to river- beds, many farmers lamented that the flood washed away their fishponds. One of the fish farmers, Mr. Adetunji Animasaun, said: “My five ponds with more than 6,000 fishes that were to be harvested next month were washed away.” The rail line that passes through the Bako area of Apata was also affected, as its base was completely washed away by the rain. The combined team of police, fire brigades, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also visited the affected area in Apata.