From Yakubu Wuyep, Jos
A devastating rainstorm swept across Tom Gangare in Sopp Ward of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State destroying more than one hundred residential buildings and property worth millions of naira.
The disaster, which occurred in the evening following a heavy downpour accompanied by violent winds, left over one hundred households rendered homeless and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
The rainstorm also affected health facilities, Worship places and other critical infrastructure within the community.
Speaking on the unfortunate incident, a community stakeholder, Hon. Dung Danboyi, described the disaster as a painful and heartbreaking occurrence, considering the enormous destruction inflicted on homes, livelihoods, and public facilities.
According to him, although no life was lost in the incident, many residents have been displaced and are currently facing severe hardship following the destruction of their homes and personal belongings.
He appealed to the Plateau State Government through the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, international humanitarian organizations, and well-meaning individuals to urgently intervene by providing relief materials and support to the affected victims.
“The level of destruction is overwhelming. Many families have lost their homes and means of livelihood. We are appealing to government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and spirited individuals to come to the aid of our people during this difficult time,” he said.
Also speaking, the Councillor representing Sopp Ward, Hon. Gwong Ibrahim, called for immediate intervention from relevant authorities to cushion the impact of the disaster and provide succour to the affected residents.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Riyom Local Government Council, Hon. Sati Bature Shuwa, visited the affected community to assess the extent of the damage and sympathize with the victims.
Addressing the displaced residents, the Chairman urged them not to lose hope despite the unfortunate incident, assuring them that efforts would be made to facilitate assistance for those affected.
He stated that a comprehensive assessment of the damage would be conducted to determine the scale of losses and facilitate appropriate interventions by government and relevant agencies.
The violent windstorm uprooted numerous trees, many of which crashed onto residential buildings, further worsening the destruction across the community.
As of the time of filing this report, many residents remained stranded without shelter, food, and other basic necessities.
Appeals for urgent humanitarian assistance continue to grow as victims seek support to rebuild their homes and restore their means of livelihood.