Stormy weather brings destruction to Osogbo, Adeleke offers reassurance to those affected

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun has extended his condolences to the people of Osogbo and surrounding areas, following the destruction caused by a rainstorm on Saturday night. The governor's statement, released by his spokesperson Malam Olawale Rasheed on Sunday in Osogbo, characterized the event as a sad and unfortunate occurrence.

Through his spokesperson, Governor Adeleke expressed his deep concern and sympathy for the victims of the heavy rainstorm that impacted Osogbo and neighboring communities, speaking on behalf of the state government and its citizens. He also stated that he was deeply moved by the incident, and would take action to address it.

The state government, according to Governor Adeleke, will work through the State Emergency Management Agency to alleviate the losses suffered by the victims of the rainstorm. He also instructed the Ministry of Works to immediately clear the affected roads, ensuring the free flow of traffic in the area.

A severe rainstorm hit Osogbo late on Saturday, causing widespread damage to houses and shops, and blowing off roofs amidst strong winds, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The storm also damaged electric cables and streetlights in the Ogo-Oluwa and Olaiya areas.

A giant billboard in the Aregbe area was blown down by the storm, with its fallen iron bars damaging a soft drink distribution truck. Residents were seen removing damaged rooftops from the roads on Sunday morning, while officers from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) controlled traffic in areas where debris blocked the roads.

Mr Adeniyi Oluwafemi, a resident whose house was affected by the storm, told NAN that his property was destroyed and the rooftop blown off. He described how the strong winds blew off the roof of his house, causing damage to his electronics, bedding, and documents.

Mr Oluwafemi explained that he was still assessing the extent of the damage, as he sorted through his belongings, and that all his electronics and bedding were drenched, while his documents were soaked. He was still trying to determine the full extent of the destruction.

Another resident, Mrs Jumoke Oluwagbemiga, recounted how she and her family had to flee their house when the roof was blown off, fearing the building might collapse. She expressed gratitude that there was no electricity during the rain, which prevented a potentially deadly accident when her daughter ran into a live wire that had been cut from a pole.

Mrs Oluwagbemiga attributed their narrow escape to divine intervention, saying that they could have lost their daughter if not for God's protection. The rainstorm also caused havoc in other parts of the town, including Oke-Baale and Sabo Ayetoro, according to NAN reports.