No fewer than 10 people were said to have been drowned during a downpour in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, yesterday. It happened at Apete area of Ibadan after the rain fell endlessly. According to a source, many people were struggling to cross a make-shift bridge when they reportedly fell into the over-flowing river.

The source claimed he was in the rescue team that tried to save the drowning people.

Since heavy rains started in the past few days, the flowing river had covered major part of the make-shift bridge.

The source said: “It was around 6:30 pm that it happened. We just heard cries of people who fell into the river and I decided to join the rescue team and we eventually succeeded in rescuing about six people while not less than 10 people were washed away.”

Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Olabisi Ilobanafor, could not confirm the incident immediately because she was not aware.

She explained that she was on casual leave.

•Text courtesy of Sunday Vanguard. Photo shows Governor Isiaka Ajimobi of Oyo State.