No fewer than five persons have been confirmed dead after a wave of devastating windstorms struck communities in Gombe and Sokoto states, leaving dozens injured, and thousands displaced.
According to reports, the strong winds once again battered the temporary National Youth Service Corps orientation camp in Amada, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe state, tearing off the roofs of hostels and the main pavilion.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, prompted a swift response from the government, with the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Adamu Ibrahim, assuring corps members of urgent intervention.
It was learnt that the NYSC camp had previously suffered similar challenges affecting its temporary pavilion and other facilities.
Ibrahim, who visited the camp on behalf of Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, to assess the extent of the damage, promised prompt government intervention.
In Sokoto State, the windstorm wreaked more havoc.
Officials of the State Emergency Management Agency confirmed that five residents, including two toddlers, died following the storm that swept through Gwadabawa and Kware Local Government Areas on June 18.
A joint on-the-assessment report said the storm affected over 1,400 homes and vital public infrastructure, including schools and other government buildings.
It was gathered that in Gwadabawa LGA alone, 878 houses were destroyed, 1,306 households affected while an estimated 7,836 individuals were affected.
“Eleven people sustained varying degrees of injuries. Officials confirmed five fatalities in the Marabawa community, including two children, aged 18 months and three years, who were identified as the children of one Mansur Salihu Talhi,” the assessment team reported.
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The assessment team in Gwadabawa, according to a report made available by SEMA, included DPM Shehu Muhammad, Councilor for Gidan-Kaya Ward, Siba Sodangi, community elder, Adamu Talhi, and SEMA Desk Officer, Nafi’u Bello.
“In Kware LG, 523 houses were reported destroyed, affecting 1,403 households and injuring 18 persons.
“Several public structures, including parts of Government Secondary School, Kware, suffered significant damage to fences and classrooms.
“A particularly hard-hit area was Kofar-Barga in Kware, where the home of a resident, Ahmad Abbas, was flattened.
“Similarly, approximately 100 houses were damaged in the 30-Quarters area of the town,” the report stated.
SEMA confirmed that documentation of all affected individuals and properties was ongoing.
“The data will be submitted to the state and federal governments to facilitate swift humanitarian assistance for the victims,” SEMA confirmed.
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