More than 100 houses were destroyed and scores of families displaced after a devastating rainstorm ravaged Tom Gangare community in Sopp Ward of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday following a heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds, also destroyed health facilities, places of worship and other critical infrastructure, leaving residents counting their losses.

A member of the community Bot Felix said property worth millions of naira was damaged during the incident, while many affected residents have been rendered homeless.

He said violent windstorms uprooted several trees, many of which fell on residential buildings, worsening the destruction across the community.

Also speaking on the development, a stakeholder in the community, Hon. Dung Danboyi, described the incident as tragic and appealed for urgent intervention from government and humanitarian agencies.

According to him, although no life was lost, the destruction has left many households without shelter and exposed victims to severe hardship.

“The level of destruction is overwhelming. Many families have lost their homes and means of livelihood. We are appealing to government agencies, humanitarian organisations and well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of our people during this difficult time,” he said.

Danboyi called on the Plateau State Government, the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, development partners and other stakeholders to provide immediate relief materials and support for affected residents.

Also speaking, the Councillor representing Sopp Ward, Hon. Gwong Ibrahim, urged relevant authorities to urgently intervene to cushion the impact of the disaster on victims.

He stressed the need for emergency relief assistance, noting that many affected families were struggling to secure temporary shelter and basic necessities.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Riyom Local Government Council, Hon. Sati Bature Shuwa, visited the community to assess the extent of the damage and sympathise with victims.

Addressing residents, Shuwa assured them that efforts would be made to facilitate assistance and support for those affected by the disaster.

He disclosed that a comprehensive assessment would be conducted to determine the extent of the losses and enable appropriate intervention by government and emergency management agencies.

Two people were killed, and about 10 houses were burnt in Ilesha Baruba, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, on Saturday, after a violent clash involving an Islamic scholar triggered mob attacks in the community.

The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, describing it as mob violence, arson and extrajudicial killings.

According to the police, the crisis began after an altercation between an Islamic scholar, Alhaji Mohammed Ilyasu, and an unidentified Fulani man, during which both sustained machete injuries.

Both men were taken to hospital, where they were later confirmed dead.

“Investigations revealed that a violent altercation occurred between an unidentified Fulani man and an Islamic scholar, Alh Mohammed Ilyasu, during which both parties sustained severe machete injuries,” she said.

“They were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Sadly, Mohammed Ilyasu was confirmed dead on arrival, while the assailant also succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.”

The police said the deaths triggered reprisals by some youths, who stormed the hospital, took the corpse of the deceased assailant and set it ablaze.

“Rather than allowing the law to take its course, some irate youths reportedly stormed the hospital, seized the corpse of the deceased assailant, and set it ablaze,” the spokesperson said.

She added that another passerby was attacked and set on fire during the violence.

“In a further display of lawlessness, the mob allegedly attacked another man passing through the area and set him on fire,” she said.

About 10 houses belonging to members of the Fulani community, including the residence of the Ardo Fulani, Alhaji Hassan, were also burnt.

Security operatives, including police and military personnel, were deployed to restore order, the command said.

Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, condemned the incident, describing the attacks as criminal and barbaric.

“The acts are criminal, barbaric, and a direct affront to the rule of law,” he said.

He added that investigations had begun and warned that those involved would be arrested and prosecuted.

Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, CON, has called on the people of Adamawa to rededicate themselves to making the state a model of peace and harmonious living.

As Nigerian Muslims join their counterparts across the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir Sallah, the Governor said peace and harmony are necessary to enjoy the blessings of Allah, which he said abound in Adamawa.

“First, I use this opportunity to wish all Muslims a happy Sallah, and all Nigerians peace.

He noted that Nigerians must rescue the country from the vices threatening to pull it down. He added that the period offers the people another opportunity to submit completely to the will of Allah.

“We must renew our interaction with our fellow human beings and, most essentially, our duties to Allah. We must, therefore, reflect more on the reason for our creation and make moves to be closer to Allah,” he said.

While wishing the residents of the state and all Nigerians an exciting celebration during this occasion of piety and sacrifice, the Governor also urged leaders and followers to hold fast to the tenets of hope, sacrifice, and restoration, as epitomized in the central message of Eid-el-Kabir.

Fintiri said God has been good to the country by preserving peace despite aggressions and vexed issues. Despite unwanted developments, he said Nigerians must remain grateful.

“You must remain grateful for many things—peace, love, and well-being. And so long as there is hope, yesterday’s challenges can become history about how we turned things around,” he said.

“Those things should never overcome us. Being alive means there is a possibility to learn from yesterday, improve upon today, and turn around tomorrow. Builders look to tomorrow, and we must be builders in our minds.”

The Governor, who said his administration’s desire is to build tomorrow today, urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in their endeavours and prove wrong the cynics who think the country will sink.
Barka Da Sallah!