By Aliyu GERENGI, Gombe
Several houses were damaged and many families were rendered homeless following a devastating windstorm and flood that struck Kombani Kasuwa Village in Akko Local Government Area.
The disaster occurred on Saturday night after a heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds, which blew off rooftops, destroyed household property, and caused significant damage across the community.
A delegation led by the Overseer of Pindiga LCDA, Alhaji Lamaran Ahmed, and represented by Iliyasu Jibrin Pindiga, alongside Umar Hamji and members of the Local Emergency Management Committee of Akko Local Government Area, visited the affected community to assess the extent of the damage and sympathize with the victims.
Speaking during the visit at the residence of the village head of Kombani Kasuwa, the delegation described the incident as unfortunate and heartbreaking. They conveyed the sympathy of the local government authorities to the affected families and urged them to accept the disaster as an act of God.
The representatives assured the community that government officials would conduct a detailed assessment of the affected areas to determine the level of destruction and identify possible ways of providing assistance to the victims.
In his remarks, the District Head of Tulmi, Alhaji Usman Yerima, expressed appreciation to the delegation for their visit and concern. He appealed to the government and relevant agencies to provide urgent relief materials and support to cushion the suffering of those affected by the disaster.
Also speaking, community leaders and stakeholders from the area, including Alhaji Uba Adamu Ziko and Hamma Seyo of Kombani Kasuwa, who accompanied the inspection team, called on residents to continue supporting government efforts. They also appealed to philanthropists, humanitarian organizations, and well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of the victims.
While taking the delegation around the affected locations, a resident, Malam Buba Baleri, explained that the incident occurred late at night during heavy rainfall accompanied by a violent windstorm, which led to severe flooding and extensive destruction of homes and property.
Other victims who narrated their experiences described the disaster as devastating, noting that many families lost their belongings while some were left without shelter. They appealed to all levels of government, charitable organizations, and wealthy individuals to provide immediate assistance.
The village head of Kombani Kasuwa, Alhaji Yusufa Yaya, and Kawule Jauro Hamma Seyo expressed gratitude to the government delegation for showing concern over the plight of the community.
They also called on residents to remain united, support one another during this difficult period, and continue working together for the development and progress of the area.
The leaders further prayed for divine protection against future disasters and expressed hope that the affected families would receive timely support to rebuild their lives.
