*20 missing

By Ola Ajayi, Ibadan

Seven persons including a new-born baby and five women were on Friday killed while about 20 others went  missing during a  downpour that lasted several hours in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

The baby who was just eight days old was to be named yesterday was said to have been swept off at Odo Ona Ibadan.

Other victims of the flood that came after the rainfall in some areas were reported drowned when a bridge caved in at Apete area of the city when they  tried  to cross the bridge having waited several hours.

Some relatives were seen waiting anxiously to catch a glimpse of the victims who were drowned in the flood.

To avoid more casalities, fire fighters visited Apete and blocked the road.

They directed motorists and residents to find  alternative routes home.

The rain also led to loss of property worth millions of naira which included houses.

At Eleyele, some houses, including a storey building, were  submerged. The storey building was  sinking. It was not clear if the occupants  were not swept away by the flood.

There were tales of woes across the city as people mourned  their dead. Some of the victims of the flood were being taken to Ologuneru area for burial.

Due to the sprited efforts of resuers, a year old boy and a lady survived the flood disaster.

Rescue Helicopter deployed
Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, procured the services of a  helicopter for  rescue operations and distribution of relief materials to  victims of the disaster.

The government also enlisted the support of the GOC 2nd Mechanised Division, Major General Mubarak, for the provision of bailey bridges over the two rivers whose bridges were swept off at Apete and Olomi areas. The governor also ordered immediate setting up of two relief  camps at the Apete and Odo Ona.