Three people have been confirmed dead, while several others sustained injuries after a powerful windstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall swept through Gashua, the headquarters of Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State, on Wednesday evening.
The windstorm, which lasted for about 30 minutes, destroyed hundreds of houses, shops, business premises, telecommunications infrastructure, and electricity poles. It also left many residents homeless and caused property worth millions of naira to be destroyed.
The Chairman of Bade Local Government Area, Ibrahim Babagana, described the incident as one of the worst disasters the area had witnessed in decades.
“It was a devastating windstorm that started around 5:30 pm on Wednesday and lasted for only 30 minutes. I can confirm to you that three persons have died from the incident, while others are receiving medical attention at the Gashua Specialist Hospital, with a few others discharged,” Babagana said.
“This is one of the worst windstorms I have ever witnessed in my life. We have not experienced such a storm in the last few decades; almost every resident of Gashua has been affected in one way or another. Houses, shops, roofs, telecommunication masts, and electricity poles have been seriously affected.” he added.
Several residents described the incident as one of the worst natural disasters to hit Gashua in recent years, saying many households lost their homes, businesses, food items, and other valuables.
Although some residents claimed that four people died in the incident, the figure could not be independently verified.
The Medical Director of the Specialist Hospital, Gashua, Dr Akinola Adekunle, confirmed that casualties from the disaster were recorded at the facility.
“Two people lost their lives, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Adekunle said.
Meanwhile, the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency said it had deployed emergency response teams to assess the impact of the disaster in Bade, Yunusari, and Bursari Local Government Areas.
The agency said personnel and volunteers from Jakusko, Karasuwa, Geidam, and Nguru Local Government Areas had joined the assessment exercise.
Meanwhile, the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency said it had deployed emergency response teams to assess the impact of the disaster in Bade, Yunusari, and Bursari Local Government Areas.
The agency said personnel and volunteers from Jakusko, Karasuwa, Geidam, and Nguru Local Government Areas had joined the assessment exercise.