No fewer than six persons were reported to have been killed while several others numbering over 30 have been injured by a devastating windstorm at Garba-Chede in the Gasol local government area of Taraba State.
According to a resident of the area, Mr. Alphonsus Nweeka, the windstorm started at about 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday. He said the windstorm also destroyed schools, hospitals, mosques, churches, and foodstuffs within the area.
Alhaji Inua Babangida, one of the victims whose house and foodstuffs were destroyed by the windstorm, pleaded with the state government to come to their aid, stating that the disaster has inflicted hardship on the people within Garba-Chede.
In prompt action, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) visited the area for an on-the-spot assessment and promised to rehabilitate over 300 households displaced by the windstorm.
Deputy director, Relief and Mediation, Hajia Batulu Isa, who led the NEDC delegation assured the victims that the commission would do everything within its reach to bring succour to the people.
She noted that the victims were in serious need of food, non-food items, and building materials, which would cushion the hardship occasioned by the disaster.
“ We have been delegated by the North East Development Commission to visit this community and assess the level of damage caused by the windstorm in this community.
“We have already taken our data, we have seen the damages caused by windstorms, and we shall report back to the commission for further action.
“I want to assure you that the commission will respond as quickly as possible by providing food items, non-food items and building materials to the victims,” Batulu stated.
