Windstorm kills businesswoman, destroys homes and roads in Benue community

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Residents of Obi Local Government Area in Benue State are grieving after a severe windstorm and heavy rain caused extensive damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure across several communities.

The storm struck on Wednesday evening, uprooting trees, demolishing residential buildings and business premises, and disrupting movement in parts of the area.

According to a community source, the worst‑hit area was Obarike community along the Ogore axis, where a well‑known businesswoman lost her life when a large tree fell on her during the downpour. The woman, a respected restaurant operator, died instantly at the scene, leaving family, friends, customers and residents in deep mourning.

The storm also impacted transportation near Secretariat Road in Ijanke community, where fallen trees blocked roads and raised safety concerns for residents and commuters.

Emmanuel Ekpe, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Chairman of Obi LGA, stated that Council Chairman Silas Ahunye visited the affected communities, expressed sadness, and sympathised with victims and their families. Ahunye also reported that the disaster damaged part of his roof and vehicle.

He described the windstorm as one of the most severe natural disasters witnessed in the LGA in recent times and called for urgent intervention from emergency response agencies and humanitarian organisations. Ahunye urged the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, humanitarian groups and well‑meaning individuals to assist those affected.

In a show of solidarity, Jackson Ominyi, Chairman of neighbouring Oju LGA, visited Obi LGA to assess the damage and sympathise with residents. He appealed to relevant authorities and emergency agencies for immediate support, noting that the scale of destruction was unprecedented.

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