June 22, (THEWILL) – At least five people have been confirmed dead and dozens injured following a devastating windstorm that swept through Gwadabawa and Kware Local Government Areas of Sokoto State.
The incident, which left widespread destruction in its wake, was confirmed during a joint field assessment conducted by officials of the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
According to the assessment team, no fewer than 1,400 houses were affected as the storm tore through several communities, damaging residential buildings, schools, and public infrastructure.
In the Marabawa community, five fatalities were recorded, including two children aged one year and six months, and three years and six months respectively.
The children were identified as the sons of one Mansur Salihu Talhi.
In Gwadabawa LGA, the assessment team led by DPM Shehu Muhammad, Councillor for Gidan-Kaya Ward Hon. Siba Sodangi, community leader Adamu Abdullahi Talhi, and Desk Officer Nafi’u Bello, reported that approximately 878 houses were destroyed.
A total of 1,306 households comprising 7,836 individuals were affected, with 11 people sustaining varying degrees of injury.
In Kware LGA, a separate team led by Desk Officer Aliyu Danbaba confirmed that 523 houses and 1,403 households were affected, with 18 people injured. Public facilities were not spared, as the fence and classrooms of Government Secondary School, Kware, were also severely damaged.
In the Kofar-Barga area of Kware, the home of one Ahmad Abbas was completely destroyed, while reports from the 30-Quarters area indicated that about 100 houses suffered varying levels of damage.
SEMA and NEMA officials noted that a comprehensive list of affected persons and properties is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to both state and federal authorities for urgent humanitarian intervention.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
