4 Killed As Windstorm Wreaks Havoc On 1,200 Homes In Borno

At least four persons have been confirmed dead while more than 1,200 houses were destroyed following a devastating windstorm that swept through Bama town in Borno State.

The disaster, which occurred on Friday afternoon, left several residents injured and displaced, with many properties damaged across different parts of the town.

Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, visited the affected community on Sunday to sympathise with victims and assess the level of destruction caused by the storm.

Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of Bama Local Government Area, Babagana Barma, said the windstorm caused widespread destruction, particularly in the Gwange area and some Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

Zulum announced immediate relief measures for affected families, including a cash donation of N500,000 to each family that lost a relative in the incident.

The governor also directed relevant authorities to conduct an urgent assessment of damaged homes and properties to enable the government to provide assistance based on the extent of destruction suffered by victims.

While addressing residents, Zulum warned against indiscriminate tree felling, describing it as one of the major causes of recurring windstorms and environmental challenges in the state.

“We must stop cutting down trees arbitrarily. This is a key factor behind the increasing intensity of storms and ecological challenges we face. We already have laws on the ground, and there is a need to ensure that we fully implement them,” he said.

The governor further assured displaced residents that his administration remained committed to resettling persons still living in IDP camps back to their communities in safety and dignity.

Some residents, however, claimed the casualty figure could be higher than the official number released by authorities.

A resident, Mala Bashir, said the storm struck around 3pm on Friday, destroying homes and injuring several people.

“The worst affected areas are Gwange and the IDP camp, but the destruction spread across virtually the entire town,” he said.
Another resident, Modu Sheriff, said the storm began shortly before the Asr prayer, uprooting trees and blowing off rooftops.

“The strong wind uprooted a tree in front of my house and destroyed the roofs of neighbouring buildings. Many people have lost valuable property,” he said.