A severe windstorm has claimed the lives of four residents and flattened no fewer than 1,200 houses in Bama town, Bama Local Council Area of Borno State. The disaster occurred on Thursday evening, prompting Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, to travel to Bama on Sunday to commiserate with the victims. The windstorm lasted for over an hour, leaving a trail of destruction.
Governor Zulum's Visit and Condolences
Governor Zulum was accompanied by the member of the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba; Secretary to Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani; Acting Chief of Staff, Engr Babagana Mustapha Malumbe; former commissioners; and other senior government officials. Upon arrival, Zulum announced immediate relief measures, including a cash payment of N500,000 to the families of each of the four deceased residents.
Assessment and Support
The governor directed a prompt assessment of the destruction across the affected areas, stating, “State government support would be provided based on the severity of damage to each affected household.” He acknowledged the immediate needs of the victims and used the opportunity to warn residents against the indiscriminate felling of trees, which he identified as a root cause of windstorms and other environmental disasters in the Northeast region.
“We must stop cutting down trees arbitrarily. This is a key factor behind the increasing intensity of storms and ecological challenges we face. We already have laws on the ground, and there is a need to ensure that we fully implement them,” Zulum said.
Reassurance to Displaced Persons
The governor also reassured displaced persons of his administration’s unwavering commitment to returning all those still living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps to their ancestral homes in safety and dignity. According to Bama Local Chairman, Babagana Barma, more than 1,200 houses were affected by the windstorm, while four persons tragically lost their lives.
