By Maryam Shuaibu
Hundreds of residents have been displaced after a rainstorm destroyed more than 50 houses in Tom Gangare, a community in Sopp Ward of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The disaster struck on Saturday following a heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds that ripped off rooftops, uprooted trees and damaged public infrastructure across the community.
CLOCKWISE REPORT gathered that details of the incident were shared on Facebook by a community leader, Friday Bako, who highlighted the scale of the destruction and the growing humanitarian needs of affected residents.
Community leaders said no lives were lost, but many families have been left homeless and exposed to harsh weather conditions.
A community stakeholder, Dung Danboyi, described the destruction as devastating, saying homes, health facilities, places of worship and other public structures were affected.
“The level of destruction is overwhelming. Many families have lost their homes and means of livelihood,” Mr Danboyi said.
“We are appealing to government agencies, humanitarian organisations and spirited individuals to come to the aid of our people during this difficult time.”
According to him, more than 50 households were affected, with many residents now lacking shelter, food and other basic necessities.
Calls for emergency assistance
Mr Danboyi called on the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and other humanitarian organisations to provide urgent relief materials and support for affected residents.
The councillor representing Sopp Ward, Gwong Ibrahim, also appealed for immediate intervention to ease the hardship facing victims.
Residents said several large trees were uprooted during the storm and crashed onto homes, worsening the destruction across the community.
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Local government response
The Chairman of Riyom Local Government Area, Sati Shuwa, visited the affected community to assess the extent of the damage and sympathise with victims.
Mr Shuwa assured residents that efforts would be made to facilitate assistance for those affected.
He said the local government would carry out a comprehensive assessment to determine the scale of losses and support the response of relevant agencies.
A recurring challenge
The latest disaster comes nearly a year after a similar windstorm caused widespread destruction in parts of Plateau State.
In April 2025, at least 70 houses and barns were damaged in Mabudi, Sabon Gida and other communities in Langtang South Local Government Area following a rainstorm accompanied by strong winds.
The incident renewed concerns about the vulnerability of rural communities to extreme weather events, particularly during the rainy season.
For residents of Tom Gangare, the immediate concern is survival.
Many families are now seeking temporary shelter and urgently need food supplies, roofing materials and other relief items as they begin efforts to rebuild their homes and livelihoods.