Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed following a rainstorm that hit the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Yikpata, the Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, on Saturday.
While the storm caused extensive damage, no lives were lost, and corps members have been safely accommodated, officials confirmed.
A building with its rooftop blown off by a rainstorm in Ilesha-Baruba, Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State.
The downpour, which began around 4:30 pm, was accompanied by violent winds that tore through key infrastructure at the camp, disrupting activities and damaging several facilities.
Confirming the incident to PUNCH Online on Sunday, the Kwara State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr Onifade Olaoluwa, described the event as ‘a natural phenomenon’ and ‘very devastating’.
He expressed gratitude that despite the scale of destruction, there was no loss of life.
‘It’s a fact that a terrible rainstorm wreaked havoc at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Yikpata, Edu LGA of Kwara State. It happened around 4:30 pm, 26th Saturday, April, 2025. Several camp facilities were destroyed’, Onifade said.
He added, ‘The roof of the administrative block was destroyed, the multipurpose hall was partially affected, the camp mosque was impacted, and the camp market suffered considerable damage as well.
‘Some hostel blocks housing corps members and officials were not spared either’.
He also confirmed that two vehicles belonging to camp officials were completely wrecked when a large tree, uprooted by the fierce winds, crashed onto them, adding, ‘A tree was uprooted and crushed two cars owned by camp officials’.
Onifade disclosed that he immediately conducted an assessment of the destruction and promptly notified relevant government authorities.
He also revealed that ‘the Kwara State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Shehu Ndanusa-Usman, visited the camp to conduct an on-site verification of the damage. The Etsu Tsaraji, HRH Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi also visited in solidarity with the NYSC community’.
He stated, ‘Despite the enormous material loss, the coordinator emphasised gratitude for the safety of all corps members and staff.
‘We have cause to thank God — there is no loss of life. The corps members are safe and well accommodated’.
Meanwhile, residents of Ilesha-Baruba in Baruten Local Government Area have appealed for government intervention after a rainstorm on Friday night destroyed property and claimed at least one life.
The Emir of Ilesha-Baruba, Professor Halidu Abubakar, while speaking with PUNCH Online in a telephone conversation, said the pattern of rainfall this year was observed so far to come with heavy storms.
He stated, ‘Some victims were greatly affected to the extent that one was claimed dead while several others were injured by collapsed walls and roofing planks.
‘The storm blew off the rooftops of affected structures, affected foodstuffs and even warehouses.
‘This phenomenon needs government attention to respond quickly to the plight of the affected households’.
A victim of the disaster, Alhaji Ibrahim Mora, while speaking with PUNCH Online noted that the rooftop of his building and fence collapsed during the storm
According to him, this is a hard time for the residents with many homeless and seeking shelter with neighbours.
‘Even our family house is affected, but we don’t know what to do to rescue the ugly incident if not with government intervention’, he stated.
He thanked the Kwara State Government for the prompt sympathy at the instant of the disaster across the ancient community.
Another victim of the disaster, Abdullahi Ibrahim, also condemned the ugly occurrence of the storm, saying that the rooftop of the house was blown away to another residence, which destroyed the structure completely.
‘We need prompt government intervention to save their souls.
‘We are entertaining fear the way the rainy season is commencing with heavy storms, but I believe God will rescue the situation’, he said.
A pharmacist, Alhaji Saidu Adamu, while expressing sadness over the unfortunate situation of the storm, noted that a relative was hit by a collapsed wall and died.
Adamu also thanked the state government delegation for its quick sympathy to the affected victims.
