Thirty-minute storm destroys homes, shops, telecom masts and power infrastructure, leaving many residents homeless in Gashua.
At least three people have been killed and several others injured after a powerful windstorm swept through Gashua, the headquarters of Bade Local Government Area in Yobe State.
The storm, which struck around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday and lasted for about 30 minutes, destroyed homes, shops, telecommunication masts, electricity poles, and other property worth millions of naira, leaving many residents homeless.
Chairman of Bade Local Government Area, Ibrahim Babagana, confirmed the incident, describing it as one of the worst windstorms the community has witnessed in decades.
According to him, the injured victims are receiving treatment at the Gashua Specialist Hospital, while some have already been discharged.
Babagana said nearly every resident of Gashua was affected in one way or another by the disaster and noted that the scale of destruction is beyond the capacity of the local government to handle.
He disclosed that a report had been submitted to the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, urging the agency to urgently provide relief materials and support for the affected residents.
The chairman also expressed concern over Gashua’s vulnerability to natural disasters, noting that the town already faces recurring flooding due to its proximity to the Yobe-Kumodugu River.