A devastating rainstorm on Sunday night wreaked havoc in Ogele community, Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, leaving residents in mourning as it destroyed at least 50 houses and critical infrastructure.
The storm, which began around 8:00 p.m., tore through the community, displacing families and causing significant damage to homes, schools, mosques, and public facilities. Among those affected was a 139-year-old cleric, Alhaji Abdulsalam Ibrahim, who lost his residence to the disaster.
Eyewitnesses reported that the storm badly damaged key public structures, including the Ansar-ul-Islam Primary School, Community Secondary School, Health Centre, and Quranic schools.
Alfa Nurudeen Fehintola, a resident, described the destruction:
“As Muslims prepared to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, our community was thrown into mourning. The storm destroyed homes, schools, and infrastructure, leaving many residents homeless and devastated.”
Other facilities impacted include concrete poles and high-tension electric wires supplying power to Ogele, Afon, and neighboring communities.
Speaking to journalists, victims expressed grief over their losses and pleaded with government authorities and well-meaning individuals for assistance.
Community leader Aare Ogele, Alhaji Ishola Abubakar Akanbi, whose house was also damaged, emphasized the need for urgent relief.
“The storm not only ripped off our roofs but also destroyed our livelihoods. Many families are now without shelter or means of survival,” he lamented.
Similarly, Alhaji Issa Akanbi-Oniyo, Chairman of the Ogele Descendants Progressive Union (ODPU), stressed the dire situation of affected residents, noting that the community was still assessing the extent of the damage.
Residents are now looking to both the government and humanitarian organizations for support as they struggle to recover from the devastating impact of the rainstorm.
