Traders Count Losses As Rain Wreaks Havoc In Iloko-Ijesa

Residents and traders in Iloko-Ijesa, a community in the Oriade local government of Osun state, have lost properties worth millions of naira to a heavy rainfall that wreaked havoc in the town on Monday. 

The incident, OSUN DEFENDER gathered, had rendered hundreds of residents of the town homeless as they had to vacate their various homes, which had been destroyed by the rainstorm. 

The torrential downpour, which reportedly lasted more than two hours, was said to have resulted in flooding, which destroyed properties and washed away foodstuffs. 

According to a resident of the community, the flood affected commercial areas of Iloko-Ijesa, including Oke Adura.

The resident said Osowusi Muslim Commercial High School was also affected. 

The principal’s office of the school and nearby residences were affected, according to the resident. 

A newly constructed event center on Ilesa Road also collapsed, and the Redeemed Christian Church of God premises on Ayara Street and L. A Primary School in Iloko-Ijesam was also destroyed by the torrential rain.  

One of the affected traders, Florence Osunkeye, said most of her goods were submerged by the flood.

The Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa, Oba Akeem Olusayo Ogungbangbe, while reacting to the incident, sympathised with those affected by the calamity.

Ogungbangbe said: “I urge affected households and businesses to document the extent of the destruction through photographic evidence.”

Also, the state Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment, Bayo Ogungbangbe, has sympathised with the victims of the heavy rainfall. 

The Commissioner, in a statement by his media unit, acknowledged the challenges the affected community would face,  assuring the town of the government’s commitment to providing support and assistance.

Ogungbangbe, who visited the town to assess the damage done by the heavy rainfall, said relevant government agencies, would actively coordinate relief efforts to aid the affected residents of Iloko Ijesa. 

“We’ll appeal to the government to mobilise resources to provide essential aid, including food, and medical assistance, to those impacted by the calamity.”