A powerful windstorm has wreaked havoc on Njegbeje Village in the Igodor Community, Nkum Iborr Ward of Ogoja Local Government Area, Cross River State, leaving a trail of destruction that residents describe as the worst natural disaster in the community’s history.
The devastating storm, which tore through the rural community, flattened buildings, destroyed farmlands, and uprooted economic trees, displacing hundreds of residents and plunging the area into a humanitarian crisis. The village head, Chief Matthew Igrami Egbor, confirmed the scale of the damage in an emotional account to The Trumpet, lamenting the suddenness and severity of the storm.
“This disaster took us completely by surprise,” the traditional ruler said. “Homes, farms, and our economic trees were all swept away. Many of us are now sleeping on bare ground under makeshift shelters. Starvation and homelessness are setting in. This is the worst natural incident we’ve ever faced.”
Chief Egbor likened the storm to a “mini-tsunami” and called on the government at all levels, along with non-governmental organizations and humanitarian agencies, to urgently intervene with food, medical aid, and temporary shelter for the affected residents.
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Responding to the disaster, the Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Christopher Agbeh, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and confirmed the extent of the destruction. He described the incident as a “monumental and unnatural disaster,” disclosing that the losses in property, food crops, and economic trees are estimated to be over ₦1 billion.
“This is a tragic situation that demands immediate intervention from both the State and Federal Governments,” Agbeh said. “Hundreds of people are now homeless, and their sources of livelihood have been wiped out in a matter of hours.”
The local government boss also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and other disaster relief bodies to deploy immediate support to mitigate the suffering of the victims and begin rebuilding efforts.
As the community reels from the destruction, families continue to count their losses and await critical assistance. With farms destroyed and food supplies dwindling, Njegbeje faces the real threat of famine, disease outbreaks, and long-term displacement if swift action is not taken.
