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Residents of Obi Local Government Area in Benue State are mourning the loss of lives and property after a devastating windstorm, accompanied by torrential rainfall, swept through several communities, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The severe weather event uprooted mature trees, blocked major roads, destroyed homes, businesses, and essential infrastructure, displacing many residents and cutting off several communities. The tragedy was compounded by the death of a well-known businesswoman in the Obari ke community along the Ogore axis, who was killed instantly when a massive tree fell on her during the storm.
The Executive Chairman of Obi Local Government Council, Hon. Silas Odeh Ahunye, who was not spared by the disaster as fierce winds damaged portions of his residence and official vehicle, expressed profound sorrow over the incident. He described it as one of the most severe natural disasters to hit the area in recent memory.
In a show of solidarity, the Executive Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Hon. Jackson Ominyi, paid an immediate visit to Obi LGA to assess the extent of the damage. He called on the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), federal emergency agencies, and humanitarian organizations to provide urgent relief materials to the affected residents.
Hon. Ahunye has appealed to well-meaning individuals, humanitarian bodies, and relevant authorities to intervene swiftly and support those who suffered losses. He also offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the deceased and comfort for her bereaved family.
The incident has left many in Obi LGA counting their losses as efforts to restore normalcy continue.
