PHOTOS: Rainstorm renders scores homeless in Kwara

Several residents of Igbonna community in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State have been rendered homeless following a heavy rainstorm.

The incident, it was gathered, occurred on Thursday evening when the rain accompanied with heavy thunderstorms swept through two communities destroying several houses.

Residents who spoke with our correspondent said over 30 houses were affected.

Daily Trust gathered that that was the second incident in a week.

Speaking with Daily Trust on Saturday, the Transition Implementation Committee Chairman (TIC) for Oyun, Dr Waheed Ibrahim, said “The rain started on Thursday evening and fell for about 1:30 mins. But it came with a lot of storm falling trees on the road that prevented vehicular access.

“It affected the whole town especially in Igbana and Eleku, completely destroying houses and fences, and other buildings had their roofs blown away.

“As of now, we have about 35 houses affected and the victims have all been rendered homeless. Some of them are now squatting at any available abode. We have to order for the road to be cleared to assess the extent of the damage. That is the situation now, it is very terrible.

“We experienced the same thing last week at Ipe town in Oyun which affected about 30 houses. People are being accommodated at other peoples houses pending the time we have relief for them. The rain that we have experienced in that axis recently had come with serious thunderstorms and though it is a natural disaster, we pray to God to lessen the situation for us.

“And whatever the government can do as palliative, we will promise them to keep on with their lives.”

Also speaking, the National President of Igbonna Descendants Development Union (IDPU), Barrister Adeniyi Salami, described the incident as highly devastating.

“After an on-the-spot assessment, the experience is worrisome. Few houses, if any, were left untouched. The stock of the disaster is so great that most of our people are in confusion and will hardly find where to sleep.

“As we speak, the economic and normal lifestyle of the entire community had been grounded as the vulnerable victims of the disaster are at a loss as to what to do or where to put their heads for safety.”

He called on the government and good spirited individuals and organisations to promptly come to the rescue of the community.

See the pictures below: