Severe windstorm in Garba-Chede, a town in Bali Local Council of Taraba State, has claimed no fewer than six lives and left 30 others wounded.

Following the tragedy, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has announced plans to rehabilitate more than 300 displaced households.

Abubakar Dodo, a resident, whose house was destroyed, told newsmen that the windstorm was very devastating, and the worst recorded in recent years in the area.

Dodo said schools, mosques, churches and shops were destroyed, along with foodstuff worth millions of naira.

The Chief of Garba-Chede, Kaigama Maigandi, urged the Governor, Agbu Kefas, to assist victims in repairing their houses and places of business destroyed by the storm.

The Deputy Director of Relief and Mediation at NEDC, Batulu Isa, during an assessment visit by the commission officials to the affected community, assured residents that the commission would act swiftly to provide them with relief, including food items, non-food essentials and building materials.

She emphasised that the visit was meant to assess the extent of the damage and report back to the commission for urgent intervention.

“We have been delegated by NEDC to assess the level of damage caused by the windstorm in this community,” Isa said. “We have taken the necessary data and will report back for immediate action.
The commission, under the leadership of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Alkali, is deeply concerned about the situation.”

Some of the survivors of the windstorm were still undergoing treatment at the time of filing this report .

Speaking with The Guardian, yesterday, Hashimu Abdulkadir, a local community leader, said three mosques, one church, one school, and a hospital were among the structures destroyed in the disaster.

Abdulkadir commended the NEDC for its timely response but criticised the Taraba State government and local representatives for not intervening He appealed to the state government and federal lawmaker representing the area, Jafaru Yakubu, to support the community.

One of the survivors, Mrs Zubaida Umar, recounted the terrifying experience, saying her six children narrowly escaped harm.

“Life has been extremely difficult, especially since most residents were directly or indirectly affected,” she said, urging all levels of government to provide sustainable support to the victims.