Rainstorm wrecks havoc in Osun
Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo
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Properties worth millions of naira were at the weekend destroyed by rainstorm at different parts of Osogbo, the Osun state capital.
The affected areas visited are, Oke-Baale, Gbonmi, Isale-Osun, Kelebe, Ofatedo, Igbona and Oke Onitea among others.
The rain, which started at about 7:10 pm and fell for almost two hours, pulled down electric poles, block fences and blew off many roofs.
In some instances, wooden and containers were carried away.
Although, there was no report of casualty as at the time of filing this report, traffic flow was obstructed by electric poles, which fell across the Kajola street and Balogun-Oke Bale,
Many residents were seen packing out of their buildings which roof had been blown off by the rainstorm.
The head of Kajola community whose house is one of the affected houses in the area, Chief Tiamiyu Ibraheem said it was a terrible experience for the residents of the area.
Ibraheem said though, no cases of casualty was recorded but, he had personally lost close to one million naira worth of property to the incident.
He said they have called the Electricity Company to come and remove the poles that fell down during the heavy downpour.
At Kelebe area in the town, the rainstorm also wrecked havoc and no fewer than 40 houses were blown off including churches.
One of the affected churches, Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Ase was completely destroyed.
The newly constructed CAC church was destroyed by the rainstorm before it was later smashed to a building belonging to the Grand Imam of Ansarudeen, Alhaji Yunus Sanusi Imogbemi.
Speaking, Pastor Abel Oshunsina, the owner of the church and Imam Imogbemi called on the state government and other stakeholders to come to their aid.
Confirming the incident, General Manager, Osun State Emergency Management Agency OSEMA, Mr Oluyemi Olanrewaju said the agency has directed the affected people to come forward to make official complaint for necessary action.
He assured them of government intervention within a short period of time, urging residents to always check the conditions of their roofs so as to avert the future reoccurrence.
He however lamented lack of funding to make provision for intervention in anticipation of such natural disaster.