A destructive windstorm hit the Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State, resulting in tragic consequences including one reported fatality and extensive property damage in areas like Wuro Juli and Wuro She.
Witnesses shared accounts of the terrifying windstorm that caused widespread devastation shortly after the onset of the first rainfall of the season at approximately 4:30 pm.
The storm, which caused chaos in various communities such as Ampate area I and II, Maitama, Nayi Nawa, and Bagadaza, claimed the life of a child in Ampate area II while leaving several others injured and requiring hospitalization due to the fierce winds.
A resident named Abba, who witnessed his house and belongings being destroyed by the storm, described the aftermath as catastrophic. He recalled how the roof of their study area was blown off while he was teaching his Almajiri students, serving as an ominous sign of the disaster to come.
Abba shared, “As I was teaching, I suddenly noticed parts of my house’s roof disappearing. Rushing into the compound, I witnessed the complete destruction of the roof, the fence, and other parts of the building. My wife and four children sought refuge in a neighbor’s house for the night, while I and two others stayed behind to safeguard our remaining belongings left out in the open.”
Isah Adamu, the ward head of Wuro Ampate, emphasized the extensive destruction, highlighting that more than 100 houses were impacted, rendering numerous families homeless.
He expressed concern, stating, “I’ve been conducting assessments to determine the scale of the destruction, but it’s challenging due to the vast affected area. Over 100 houses have been damaged. We are hopeful that the government will step in to assist these families, many of whom are in dire need of shelter and support. The current hardship coupled with this disaster has exacerbated the plight of several families.”
Haruna Abdullahi, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the incident and mentioned that assessment teams were dispatched to evaluate the extent of the damage.
Abdullahi mentioned, “I am currently not on-site, but our personnel have been tasked with assessing the situation in Wuro Juli, Wuro She, and surrounding areas. As of now, there have been no reports of casualties, but we will have a clearer picture once our teams survey the impact of the windstorm.”
Abdullahi urged residents to exercise caution and remain vigilant as the rainy season progresses.