Omotayo Adigun
A severe rainstorm unleashed its fury upon Itobe District within the Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday night, leaving a landscape of destruction and displacing thousands of residents.
Over 500 homes were completely destroyed, and critical infrastructure sustained substantial damage.
The storm, characterized by powerful winds and intense rainfall, swept through six villages: Itobe, Adumu, Oladebu, Ajegwu, and Itagidi.
The devastation included severe damage to schools, health centers, places of worship, and electrical systems, resulting in property losses estimated in millions of naira. Several residents suffered injuries as they sought shelter during the storm.
Ejeh of Ofu, Akwu Obaje, who personally assessed the affected areas, expressed deep concern and called for immediate humanitarian assistance.
“The scene is chaotic, with roofs torn off buildings, trees uprooted, and power lines snapped,” he observed. “Many families have been left without shelter, and the community is in dire need of support.”
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The traditional ruler emphasized the urgency of the situation, appealing to the government, corporate organizations, and compassionate individuals to provide swift relief to the victims. “I urge the government and compassionate Nigerians to help restore hope to those who have lost their homes and means of livelihood,” he reiterated.
The aftermath of the storm has created a humanitarian crisis, with vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, facing critical shortages of shelter, food, and medical supplies. Residents like Atabo Okolo from Oladebu, Momoh Alifiya from Adumu, and Usman Gene from Itobe-Niniya, expressed their desperation and called for immediate governmental intervention.
“We need immediate assistance to rebuild our lives,” Okolo pleaded. “This disaster has worsened the hardship we are already facing due to economic challenges in the country.”
Gene added, “We are pleading with the government and relevant agencies to work together to provide support for us and our communities to enable us to recover from the disasters.”
