4 killed in Taraba, Nasarawa as windstorm destroys hundreds of houses

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

The first incident, according to a resident, Mallam Maiwada Takum, occurred on Tuesday evening, causing extensive damage to residential, commercial, school and office buildings.

Takum said the weather initially brought heavy rainfall, followed by a powerful windstorm that lasted for over an hour and a half.

“The impact was devastating, with some buildings collapsing and many people trapped. Flying debris, including zinc sheets, caused injuries to many residents,” he said.

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Yakubu Adamu, another resident, described the windstorm as highly destructive, resulting in significant damage to property and infrastructure, in addition to the loss of lives.

He said three fatalities had been confirmed, and many others sustained injuries.

“The number of casualties and injuries may rise as rescue and recovery efforts continue,” he added.

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

On Wednesday, another powerful windstorm struck Takum town, causing further destruction to buildings and injuring many people.

The windstorm, accompanied by heavy rainfall, started shortly after Governor Agbu Kefas entered the town to inspect the damage caused by the earlier windstorm on Tuesday evening.

It was gathered that the storm, which began around 2:30 pm on Wednesday, led to the destruction of numerous buildings, including residential homes, schools, electric poles, and trees.

The second incident has hampered the governor’s efforts to assess the previous day’s damage caused by the windstorm.

Mr Emmanuel Bello, the Senior Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Media and Digital Communication, said the governor had entered Takum to inspect the damage caused by the windstorm and that the town experienced another heavy rainfall.

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

The Vice Chairman of Doma LGA, John Bako-Ari, confirmed the incident, stating that it occurred on Tuesday evening.

According to Bako-Ari, the windstorm caused extensive damage, including the destruction of over 100 residential houses, the Agbashi Central mosque, part of Pilot Primary School Agbashi, and various other public infrastructure.

Mr Anthony Oshinyeka, the acting Chairman of Agbashi Development Association (ADA), expressed sadness over the incident and the severe impact on the Bassa settlement in Iponu, where one person died and seven others were injured.

Oshinyeka called for urgent government intervention to assist the affected residents.

He specifically requested the immediate release of relief materials and medical aid by the government and charitable individuals to support the affected communities.