The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, on Monday, confirmed that over 1,800 persons were displaced following a devastating windstorm that ravaged several communities in Garba Chede, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.
According to a statement provided by NEMA, the storm followed a strong downpour accompanied by violent winds on June 2, 2025, and affected communities including Anguwan Amare, Anguwan Hamidu, Anguwan Baki, and Sabon Layi in Kaigama Ward.
Head of NEMA’s Yola Operations Office, Mr Ladan Ayuba, said preliminary inspections suggested that more than 300 structures, including residences, a church, a school, and a hospital, were either destroyed or substantially damaged.
“Our team has conducted a rapid assessment, and we are working with the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency to conclude a full report that will guide immediate humanitarian intervention,” Ayuba said.
Meanwhile, the North East Development Commission has agreed to repair all 300 damaged houses.
The commission made this announcement after a delegation visited the community for an on-the-spot evaluation.
Hajia Batulu Isa, Deputy Director of Assistance and Mediation, led the NEDC team and assured victims that assistance materials will be given soon.
“We have seen the extent of destruction. The commission will provide food items, non-food items, and building materials to cushion the impact on the victims,” she said.
Isa stated that the assessment report would be forwarded to the commission’s Managing Director and CEO, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, for immediate action.
Mr Hashimu Abdulkadir, the village chief, told journalists that six persons perished in the tragedy, while over 30 others were injured and seeking treatment at various hospitals.
He reported that the storm destroyed buildings of worship, a school, and a health centre.
He urged the Taraba State Government and local representatives in both the state and national assemblies to assist the afflicted communities.
Mrs Zubaida Umar, who narrowly escaped with her six children, stated that the storm had rendered many residents homeless and in need of immediate assistance.
“Life has been very difficult since the incident. We need food, shelter, and basic items to survive,” she said.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
