Tempestuous windstorm caused horror, leaving trails of destruction in communities Obi Local Government Area, Benue State. The storm which occurred simultaneously with heavy downpour, uprooted trees which fell on buildings, rendering many residents homeless, and businesses devasted.

Most residents whose business outlets were destroyed were compelled to pack their products in the open space.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Chairman of the local government, Ekpe Emmanuel, who was in the community for on-the-spot assessment, noted that affected residents were grappling with grief and widespread destruction after the violent windstorm.

Several communities were cut off and residents displaced. Unfortunately, One businesswoman in Obarike community, along Ogore axis, was killed when a massive tree fell on her in the peak of the rainstorm. Another tree fell blocking the Secretariat Road, disrupting vehicular and pedestrian movement.

The rainstorm did not spare the Executive Chairman of Obi Local Government Council, Silas Odeh Ahunye. The storm damaged the chairman's residence and his official vehicle, the SSA said.

He said the council chairman had appealed to Benue State Emergency Management Agency and other spirited individuals or organizations for assistance and humanitarian relief.