No fewer than 40 houses have been destroyed by rainstorm in Egbeda-Egga community, Ijumu local government area of Kogi State.
The storm, which struck the area recently, affected worship centres, businesses and schools, leaving property worth millions of naira destroyed.
The national president of Egbeda-Egga Development Union (EDU), Dr Emmanuel Dare Otitolaiye, told reporters that the impact of the disaster was severe and beyond what the victims and the community can handle.
Otitolaiye appealed to the chairman of Ijumu local government area, the Kogi State government through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently come to the aid of the victims.
He explained that many residents have been rendered homeless and are currently taking refuge with neighbours and relatives.
According to him, the situation has been worsened by the prevailing economic hardship, making it difficult for the victims to recover without external assistance.
“We urge the authorities to provide immediate assistance to our people who have lost their homes, businesses and livelihoods,” he said.
“We need shelter, food and medical aid to help our people recover from this disaster. We call on government agencies, NGOs and philanthropists to support our relief efforts,” Otitolaiye added.
He noted that the Egbeda-Egga Development Union is making efforts to support affected families but stressed that urgent intervention from government and humanitarian organisations is needed to help the community recover from the disaster.
