Residents of Okpuitumo community in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State are grappling with severe losses after a powerful windstorm swept through the area, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, damaged properties valued at hundreds of millions of naira and disrupted livelihoods across the community. Among the worst-hit structures was the Assemblies of God Church, which suffered total destruction as the storm forcefully tore apart its roof and weakened its structure. Worshippers have since been left without a place of worship, forcing them to gather in open spaces despite unfavorable weather conditions. The storm, which struck around 3:00 a.m. at Gmelina Junction, also affected numerous residential and commercial buildings. Several homes had their roofs blown off, while shops were left exposed, resulting in extensive damage to goods and supplies. Although no fatalities were recorded, the scale of property damage has left many residents distressed and in urgent need of assistance. Farmers in the area also recorded significant losses, as crops were destroyed and storage facilities damaged. Eyewitness accounts reveal the intensity of the storm. The Pastor in charge of the affected Assemblies of God Church, Rev. Moses Odorimo, described the moment the building collapsed as shocking. According to him, the structure gave way between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., leaving church properties such as chairs, musical instruments, and the pulpit completely ruined. He appealed to Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, as well as concerned individuals and organizations, to support the rebuilding of the church and provide relief for affected members. He lamented that the congregation is now exposed to harsh weather conditions during worship. Residents also shared personal accounts of loss and hardship. Mrs. Nwadurunne Uguru, a widow, reported that her home was badly affected, with the roof blown off. She lost food items, including a 100kg bag of processed beans, and called for urgent assistance to support her family. Similarly, Mr. Goddy Nwogha recounted how the storm destroyed his yam barn valued at ₦10 million after a tree was uprooted and fell on it. In addition, parts of his house were damaged, compounding his losses. He emphasized the need for immediate support from the government, non-governmental organizations, and well-meaning individuals to rebuild his livelihood. Another victim, Miss Chioma Nweke, suffered a major setback as her poultry farm was completely destroyed. Over one thousand birds were lost, wiping out her investment. She explained that she had taken a loan to establish the business, with plans to repay it later in the year. Now, she faces financial uncertainty and appealed for assistance to recover and restart her business. A shop owner, Onyekachi Eze, also narrated his ordeal, revealing that goods worth ₦12 million were destroyed after the storm removed the roof of his shop, allowing rainwater to damage his inventory. He explained that the incident occurred while residents were asleep, leaving no opportunity to salvage items. Across the community, the destruction extended beyond individual properties. Economic trees, shops, homes, and even a billboard belonging to a government official were affected, highlighting the widespread impact of the disaster. Despite the devastation, residents expressed gratitude that no lives were lost, although some individuals sustained minor injuries. However, the need for urgent intervention remains critical, as affected families struggle to recover from the sudden loss of homes, businesses, and sources of income. Community members are now appealing to the Ebonyi State Government, humanitarian organizations, and the general public for support to rebuild their lives and restore normalcy in the area.
