A windstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall had killed a woman and caused widespread destruction across several communities in Obi Local Government Area of Benue State.
- +Windstorm kills food vendor, destroys properties in Benue community
Business Day gathered that the woman was a popular food vendor in Obarike along the Ogore axis of the LG, and She died instantly after a giant tree fell on her during the storm.
Business Day gathered that the woman was a popular food vendor in Obarike along the Ogore axis of the LG, and She died instantly after a giant tree fell on her during the storm.
Residents said the incident left neighbours, customers and family members devastated. Mourners besieged the community in tears and disbelief following the sudden loss.
An eye witness who identified himself as idoko said several houses, shops and business premises were damaged in the incident, adding that the scale of destruction affected both residential and commercial properties across the affected areas.
He said, fallen trees also blocked Secretariat Road around the Ijanke community, causing traffic obstruction and raising safety concerns among residents. Movement along the route was also disrupted for hours.
When contacted, Silas Ahunye, the Chairman of Obi LG, described the incident as one of the worst disasters witnessed in the area in recent years. He said the scale of damage was massive.
Ahunye disclosed that his personal residence was among the properties affected by the storm. The chairman said the incident had left many families displaced and livelihoods disrupted.
He maintained that the council is assessing the full extent of the damage.
Community members have called on the state government and relevant agencies to provide urgent relief and support for victims.
