Rainstorm Kills Three Family Members In Taraba

A woman, Henrietta Anthony, has said that three of her cousins, namely, Aisha Useni, Felicia Istifanus and Istiah James, were killed when a mast belonging to a telecommunications company fell on them during a rainstorm in Jalingo, Taraba State capital, on Saturday morning.

No fewer than five people were killed, while many others sustained various degrees of injuries during the windstorm early Saturday morning,

The windstorm also destroyed several houses, offices, schools, police officers’ Mess, worship places among others.

Dasogot, added that two persons with various degrees of injuries were receiving treatment at the emergency unit.

“Four of the victims died when a telecommunications mast fell on them opposite the gate of our hospital here; and one other was brought from the town,” he said.

Mrs Anthony, told newsmen that three of her cousins, namely, Aisha Useni, Felicia Istifanus and Istiah James, were among the four people that were killed when the telecommunications mast fell on them during the rainstorm.

Anthony, who operates a restaurant opposite the gate of the Taraba Specialist Hospital, explained that her cousins left the house early for work in the restaurant when the incident occurred.

“They finished cooking and were ready to sell food to customers around 6:00 am when the rainstorm felled the mast behind the restaurant.

“Three of them, including a customer, and a driver to the Commissioner for Water Resource, Emmanuel Gowon, who came to buy food, died instantly.

“Miss Konah Danjuma, who was also in the shop, sustained shoulder and head injuries,” she said.

Jerome said that the priest and students of the university were observing the morning Mass when the church collapsed due to a heavy storm that accompanied the early morning rain.

“Rev. Fr. Pontianus sustained a head injury and was treated at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo and was, thereafter, discharged.

“One of the students was also treated and discharged, but the remaining six are still receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo,” he said.

NAN