Kwara Residents Seek Help After Devastating Windstorm Leaves Trail Of Destruction

Windstorm Ravages Ilorin and Surrounding Areas, Leaving Hundreds in Despair

Let me tell you what happened on Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Kwara State. It was no ordinary day for the people of Ilorin and the Ogele/Eyenkorin area of the Asa Local Government. A powerful windstorm swept through these regions, leaving behind a trail of destruction that no one could have anticipated. According to reports, no fewer than 200 homes were wrecked, and several public schools suffered severe damage. It’s not just houses and schools; this storm took down electric cables too, plunging entire neighborhoods into darkness.

Rainstorm Ruins Eid-el-Fitr Celebrations

Imagine this: people were gearing up to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, a joyous occasion marking the end of Ramadan. But instead of festivities, they were met with chaos and despair. The storm hit so hard that it disrupted the celebrations in Ogele-Eyenkorin and the surrounding communities. The wind and rain didn’t just ruin the holiday spirit; they left behind a path of devastation that will take time, effort, and resources to repair. This storm wasn’t just a weather event—it was a life-altering event for the people of these communities.

According to The PUNCH, the destruction was staggering. Over 200 houses lost their roofs, and more than 20 structures, including schools, shops, and other businesses, collapsed. It wasn’t just the buildings that were affected; electricity poles and wires were toppled, causing widespread power outages. Debris from the storm even blocked drainage systems at the Kuntu bridge in the Ilorin West local government area, leading to further complications.

Read also:

Basketball Legends Turned Hollywood Stars A Closer Look

Communities Hit Hard by the Storm

The communities most affected by the storm include Eyenkorin, Ogele, Ifelodun, Ifesowapo, Orisunbare, Odo-Akuo, Apata Ajele, Alagbado Eyenkorin, Basa, Yakoyo, and Lekki. These places are now grappling with the aftermath of the storm, and the damage is extensive. Among the buildings that suffered the most were Ogele Primary School, Ansarul-Deen Primary School, and D-Light A-Nur Nursery/Primary School. These schools had their roofs completely torn off, leaving them in shambles.

But it wasn’t just public schools that were hit. At least 15 private schools, including Community Secondary School in Apata Ajele and Wilson School in Alagbado, also experienced severe damage. Some classrooms collapsed, making it impossible for students to return to their normal routines anytime soon. Even the Government Day Secondary School wasn’t spared; its roof was blown off, and baseball facilities in Adeta, located in the Ilorin West local government area, were also affected. It’s heartbreaking to see how much damage one storm can cause.

Residents Left Homeless, Seeking Shelter and Support

With so many homes destroyed, countless residents were left homeless. Imagine the panic and fear of not knowing where to go or what to do next. Many were seen relocating their belongings to stay with neighbors, hoping for temporary shelter while they wait for assistance from authorities and compassionate individuals. This storm has turned their lives upside down, and they need all the help they can get to rebuild and recover.

The vice chairman of the Ifelodun community in Eyenkorin, Zubairu Abiola, shared his distress over the situation and made a heartfelt appeal to the state government. He emphasized the urgency of the matter, saying, “The rainstorm has rendered many residents of the community and its adjoining areas homeless. We want to appeal to the state governor, Mallam AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq, to come to the rescue of the communities, as he has always done, even in times when there was no calamity.”

These words carry weight, and they highlight the desperation and hope of the affected communities. They’re counting on the support of their leaders and the kindness of strangers to help them rebuild their lives and restore a sense of normalcy. It’s a tough road ahead, but with the right support, they can overcome this challenge and emerge stronger.