More than 20 houses and several farmlands have been destroyed following a devastating rainstorm that swept through Nghassi community in Mandar Ward of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, leaving dozens of families displaced.
The storm, which struck at about 5 p.m. on Tuesday, was accompanied by strong winds that ripped off rooftops, uprooted trees, damaged buildings and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
A resident, Bulus Ritji, said the destruction was extensive, with many households losing their homes and means of livelihood.
“The destruction is enormous. More than 20 houses were affected, and many families have been displaced,” he said.
According to Ritji, no lives were lost, but many victims lost their homes, food items, clothing and other valuables, forcing several families to seek temporary shelter with neighbours and relatives.
He added that farmlands were also destroyed, worsening the hardship faced by affected residents.
The Youth Leader of Bokkos Local Government Area, Christopher Luka, described the incident as unfortunate and appealed to the Plateau State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (PLASEMA), humanitarian organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians to provide urgent assistance.
He called for relief materials, temporary shelter and other forms of support to help displaced families recover from the disaster.
Reacting to the incident, the Executive Secretary of PLASEMA, Sunday Abdu, said the agency had not yet received an official report but promised to investigate the matter.
“The incident has not been reported to our office. But we will find out about it,” he said.
The latest rainstorm comes amid recurring cases of severe weather across Plateau State. In 2025, a similar windstorm destroyed more than 70 houses and barns in Mabudi, Sabon Gida and neighbouring communities in Langtang South Local Government Area.
Residents of Nghassi are now appealing for swift intervention, warning that the destruction of homes and farmlands has left many families vulnerable and in urgent need of humanitarian support.
