Several People Die In Two Northern States As Windstorm Wreaks Havoc

Three residents of Takum town in Taraba State have tragically lost their lives due to a severe windstorm that struck the area twice within two days.

The first incident occurred on Tuesday evening, causing extensive damage to residential, commercial, school, and office buildings, as reported by a resident, Mallam Maiwada Takum. Takum described the weather event as initially starting with heavy rainfall followed by a powerful windstorm lasting over an hour and a half. He recounted the devastating impact, including collapsed buildings and injuries from flying debris like zinc sheets.

Another resident, Yakubu Adamu, described the windstorm as highly destructive, resulting in significant property damage, infrastructure loss, and confirmed three fatalities with numerous injuries. Adamu emphasized the potential for casualties and injuries to rise as rescue efforts continued.

James Gangum urged urgent assistance from the state government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to support those affected by the windstorm.

On Wednesday, a second powerful windstorm struck Takum town, causing further destruction and injuries, hindering Governor Agbu Kefas’s efforts to assess the previous day’s damage.

Mr. Emmanuel Bello, Senior Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Media and Digital Communication, confirmed the governor’s presence in Takum to inspect the damage caused by the windstorm. However, the town experienced another heavy rainfall during the inspection.

Additionally, one person was reported killed, and several others injured by a windstorm that destroyed over 100 houses in Agbashi community, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Vice Chairman of Doma LGA, John Bako-Ari, confirmed the extensive damage caused by the windstorm, including destruction to residential houses, the Agbashi Central mosque, and part of Pilot Primary School Agbashi, among other public infrastructure.

Anthony Oshinyeka, the acting Chairman of Agbashi Development Association (ADA), expressed sorrow over the incident, particularly the severe impact on the Bassa settlement in Iponu. He appealed for urgent government intervention, including the release of relief materials and medical aid, to assist the affected communities.