Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Ekiti, Kwara; victims cry for help

Residents of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, are counting their losses after a devastating rainstorm destroyed properties worth millions of naira on Saturday. The storm, which lasted over three hours, affected private homes, government buildings, churches, farms, and economic crops, while also toppling electric poles and a media house mast. The rainstorm struck as students […]

Residents of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, are counting their losses after a devastating rainstorm destroyed properties worth millions of naira on Saturday.

The storm, which lasted over three hours, affected private homes, government buildings, churches, farms, and economic crops, while also toppling electric poles and a media house mast.

The rainstorm struck as students were sitting for the JAMB examinations, worsening the chaos.

In Inusunja Ojido Street, 80-year-old Pa Arowolo Ajangbonlo lamented the destruction of his six-room house and boys’ quarters, pleading with the government for assistance.

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Similarly, Amusan Alaketu, also 80, described the damage to his eight-room family house as devastating, saying, “I have never seen this kind of rain in my life.”

Retired civil servant Pa Owolabi Michael Oluwafemi, 81, described himself as helpless after losing his eight-room house to the storm.

In the Falegan area, the mast of a private radio station collapsed onto the residence of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, damaging rooftops within the compound.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, sympathised with affected residents and directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assess the damages for immediate assistance, assuring citizens that the government would not abandon them.

In a related incident, a heavy rainstorm caused extensive damage at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The storm, which struck around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, was accompanied by violent winds that battered key facilities across the camp, disrupting activities and destroying properties, including vehicles worth millions of naira.

Speaking on the incident, NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Onifade Olaoluwa Joshua, described the event as “very devastating,” but expressed gratitude that there were no casualties.

He said the administrative block, multipurpose hall, camp mosque, and camp market were all affected, along with some hostel blocks.

The State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Shehu Ndanusa Usman, and the Etsu of Tsaraji, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi, have since visited the camp for on-site assessment and solidarity.