One dead, two missing after downpour in Kwara

Torrential rainfall on Saturday night claimed the life of yet-to-be-identified person in Ilorin, Kwara capital.

The heavy downpour also allegedly swept away two persons when a vehicle plunged into the canal of the partially collapsed Oko-Erin bridge.

The heavy rains, which started few minutes past 10pm destroyed the setback of the bridge making it partially impassable.

It was gathered that the body of the dead person was found around Coca-Cola area of the metropolis, but the two other victims are still missing.

Scores of security personnel and traffic controllers were on hand on Sunday, controlling human and vehicular movement in and out of the area.

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The State Government attributed the collapse of the bridge to illegal construction on setbacks and waterways.

Media aide to Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq, who was also at the scene, Rafiu Ajakaye, said drastic measures would soon be taken to curtail indiscriminate dumping of refuse of canals and drainages.

He promised that government would urgently effect the repair of the collapsed setback of the bridge.

Ajakaye equally warned residents of the state to desist from constructing on the waterways.

“As you can see the commissioner of works had visited the affected bridge. Proper assessment would be done and decision would be taken. The collapse of the setback not the bridge in itself, was caused by people’s encroachment. Governemnt will take necessary steps that this does not happen again,” he added.