1 Killed,As Flood Wrecks Havoc In Ekiti
Heavy flooding caused by heavy downpour which lasted for over two hours in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital on Monday evening wrecked havoc, claiming the life of a 33-year old commercial motorcyclist identified as Ajeniyi Victor.
It was learnt that the lifeless body of the man was found in the early hours of Tuesday by a search party and some police officers deployed by the state commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdullahi, along the bank of Elemi River in Ado Ekiti.
The deceased, according to witnesses who spoke with journalists was swept away by flood along with his motorbike, while trying to cross a bridge built on the River at Ayemi, along Iworoko road in the State capital.
The source said the late motorcyclist, who was conveying two passengers, got to the point when the bridge was submerged by storm water and instead of taking a detour, decided to move ahead, even when many had tried unsuccessfully.
“But while trying to cross, he lost control in the Elémi channel at Ayewa garage area of Adebayo. He ignored the entreaties and admonitions by motorists and other commercial motorcyclists, who had earlier failed in their attempts to cross the channel and decided to wait for the water to recede.
“He had two passengers with him, but they chose not to go with him. He insisted that he had knowledge of the way and how best to wade through the flood water.
“When he lost control and water was taking away his bike, he tried to rescue the bike and along the line, he fell. The onlookers were helpless when he lost control, and watched helplessly from afar as he was overwhelmed by the flood.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) in Ekiti State, Mr. Alberto Adeyemi, said the police joined in searching for and recovering the body of the deceased.
“It was an unfortunate incident because the incident could have been averted if he had taken precaution. We have been able to identify him and his body has been taken to the morgue at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti”, he said.
