Casualties figures from last Friday’s flood that wrecled havoc in different parts of Ilorin, Kwara state capital Sunday rose to six as three lifeless body bodies were recovered from a river along Sobi road Ilorin by men of the stste fire service.
Similarly, Blueprint gathered that two lives were lost as youths swimming to catch fish along Asa riverine area at Amilengbe axis in the Ilorin metropolis, got drowned in their expedition.
The state government had on Friday confirmed the death of a woman who was killed when a mud house collaped in Onijo compound paka area of Ilorin as a result of the flood.
Identities of those recovered from the river along sobi road included a renowed Ilorin Islamic preacher, Sheikh Abdulganiyu Nuraini Al- Adabby (popularly called Alfa Gani Aboto), Alfa Azeez Omoekun and Alfa Nurudeen.
Sheik Abboto was said to be returning from a journey in Niger state when his Toyota Yaris car crashed and plunged into river along sobi road Akerebiatar amidst heavy down pour.
Four chilren also reportedly sustained injuries when a building collaped at Okele area of Ilorin but they were rushed to Fatima Hospital where they were treated and have been discharged.
Property worth millions of naira was also lost to the flood occasioned by a 10- hour torrential rainfall which started around 10 pm Thursday and lasted till Friday morning.
The Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) had penultimate Saturday in Patigi local government area of the state confirmed the death of seven persons in different parts of the state, bringing to 11 the total number of persons who have so far lost their lives to flood this year alone in the state.
Confirming the latest casualty figures weekend, the state fire service said three human bodies and a Toyota Yaris car with Reg No APP 544 E were removed from a river under a bridge opposite Olusola Saraki abattoir, along Sobi road in Ilorin, on Saturday.
Blueprint gathered that the personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akerebiata division, Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Kwara State Fire Service were involved in the rescue operations.
Also, authority confirmed that two lives were lost as youths swimming to catch fish along Asa riverine areas at Amilengbe axis, behind Salem House in the Ilorin metropolis, got drowned in their expedition.
The spokesman of Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, and the general manager of the state environmental protection agency (KWEPA),Alh Saad Ayuba Dan Musa confirmed the development to our correspondent on Saturday.
“Today, October 1, 2022, the Kwara State Fire Service has removed two human bodies and a Toyota Yaris car with Reg No APP544E from a river at Opposite Olusola Saraki Abattoir, along Sobi road in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State.
“Information has it that the incident occurred during the yesterday’s (Friday) downpour, when the casualties were struggling to drive through the bridge and suddenly got stuck by the flood and pushed them into the river.
“In truth, the rescued work was like a joint operation, because all the people in the neighborhood gave their full support to the firemen throughout the operation.
“Therefore, the Director, Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, urged the general public to please to be avoiding driving whenever there is heavy rainfall,” Adekunle said.
Also, the general manager of KWEPA confirmed that two lives were lost when youths were reportedly swimming at Asa River to catch fish from fish ponds damaged by flood occasioned by the downpour.
“As the head of Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA), I have received several phone calls from people to drive away thousand of youths swimming to catch fish along Asa riverine areas especially at Amilengbe area behind Salem House.
“From a reliable source, the flood has swept away the fishery ponds from unknown location into the river which attracted the youths to become emergency fishermen in the area which has claimed two lives as at today.
“This is a clarion call and warning to the parents to warn their children against this ugly situation; the police force and Fire Service dept should be despatched to drive away these youths from the scene,” he stated.
Kwara gov mourns Sheikh Aboto, other victims
Meanwhile the state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has described as shocking and sad the deaths of Sheikh Aboto and others who lost their lives in the incident.
The governor in a statement by his chief press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye said “we received with shock and sadness the deaths of the popular Islamic cleric Sheikh Aboto and others in a road accident saying however that , “we accept the judgment of our creator. We beseech Him to grant the scholar and others involved al-jannah Firdaus”.
“This, indeed, is one sad news too many. The death of Sheikh Abdulganiy Aboto is a huge loss for the Muslim community and to Ilorin as a whole. He was known for his vast knowledge and great efforts in the propagation of Islamic message in the simplest form possible for his audience.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the families of the late Sheikh and the others, and the entire Adabiyyah family worldwide. It is our prayer that Allah will grant comfort to all the bereaved families.”
