Over one hundred houses have been destroyed by windstorms in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The incident which occurred on Saturday at about ten o’clock in the night wreaked havoc mostly at one of the internally displaced persons (IDP) holding camps in Father Joseph Memorial High School, where over ten buildings were badly damaged by the wind.
According to two of the students, Chidera Udo and Akachukwhu Atupulazi they were in the hostel in the night when a heavy wind started to blow their roofs off causing them to scamper for safety while it lasted.
The principal of the school, Rev Father Anthony Okoye who described the incident as shocking and devastating, said the windstorm destroyed several buildings including the refectory, teachers quarters classroom blocks, and hostels, thereby leaving more than two thousand students stranded.
At Justice Chinwuba Memorial Secondary School, Aguleri, the windstorm also carried roofs forcing some of the students to study under the tree as explained by a student, Miss Eukaria Okagbue and the principal of the school, Mr Emmanuel Anerobj who appealed for urgent government intervention.
Radio Nigeria spoke with the board member in charge of Post Primary School Service Commission, Otuocha Zone, Chief Joe Enemou and the Zonal Director of the commission in the area, Mrs Ogochukwu Obi who was on the ground to inspect the level of damage done to the schools described the incident as colossal noting that only the federal and state governments would be able to tackle the level of devastation.
The windstorm also affected private buildings and shops, causing untold hardship to the people who are predominantly farmers as narrated by Chyukwudi Onyejekwe, the representative of the Executive Secretary of the state, Chief Paul Odenigbo.
Speaking with newsmen after a joint assessment of the windstorm damage with SEMA, the Zonal Coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency, Enugu, Mr Major Eze said an official report would be sent to the federal government for urgent intervention to the affected victims even as he expressed shock over the level of destruction.
The victims are calling for government intervention as the development has plunged them into unplanned expenses.
FRCN
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