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Windstorm Wreaks Havoc In Taraba, Kills 7 Children, Destroys 300 Houses

Published

4 years ago

April 30, 2022

House where rooms collapsed and killed two boys in Mutumbiyu town, Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba during the windstorm

Abdulhakim Hashim recently had a discussion with his three little children on how they will celebrate the Eid-el Fitr. Little did he know that two out of his three children would not be alive to witness the Sallah celebration.

He told Daily Trust Saturday in front of his house, which was destroyed by heavy windstorm, that he never knew that calamity was going to strike few minutes later.

Hashim said he was talking with his children when the rain started at about 8.40pm that fateful Saturday. And few minutes later, heavy windstorm accompanied the rainfall.

“I just heard a loud sound, then there was darkness around us in the room. All of us – my three children; a boy Rabiu,7, and two girls, Sharbila 3, and Jummai 5, were in the room when it collapsed and buried us,” he said.

He said his wife, who was in another room, raised an alarm when the room collapsed and neighbours rushed in and removed him and the three children from the rumbles.

“I was brought out from the collapsed building alive but sadly, the two girls were dead and the boy Rabiu was alive with a fracture on his left hand,” Saleem said.

Some of the victims of the windstorm

He said Rabiu was taken to Referral Hospital Mutumbiyu and at the hospital, other victims who sustained injuries during the windstorm were also brought from different areas of the town

“We’ve never experienced such devastating wind in this town, even though in recent years every first rain of the year is usually accompanied by windstorm,” he said.

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From Hashim’s house to a primary school along Garin Magaji ward also in Mutumbiyu, lots of houses were affected by the windstorm and apart from blown off roofs, several rooms and walls collapsed.

Few meters from Garin Magaji Primary school, a room collapsed and killed two boys.

Owner of the house and father of two boys, Yakubu Inuwa, told Daily Trust Saturday that the impact of the collapsed building destroyed everything in the room and also killed the two boys – Musa, 4, and Chindo, 5, who were sleeping on the same bed.

He said the rainfall was not heavy when it started but few minute later, a powerful wind came and blew everything away.

“The room where my two children were sleeping just collapsed soon after the windstorm started,” he had said.

He stated that neighbours rushed into his house when they heard the sound of the collapsed building. “The boys were brought out alive but seriously injured with several fractures. They died on the way to the hospital.”

A resident of Garin Magaji ward, Musa Garba, told Daily Trust Saturday that over fifty houses were destroyed by the wind storm in that area alone.

Findings revealed that three other children also died around Izala Mosque area while around the old cattle market, Jantaro and Anguwan Kasa, over 58 houses were also destroyed by the windstorm.

At Makurna village, located about 10km from Mutumbiyu town, more destructions were recorded but there was no casualty.

At the entrance of the village, a primary school had its roof blown off while inside the village, several houses collapsed.

Blown off roofing sheets were deposited on trees top and on top of other buildings.

Most of the residents whose houses were destroyed by the windstorm are now staying with lucky neighbours whose houses were not affected by the windstorm.

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A resident, Bello Dauda, told Daily Trust Saturday that in the history of the village, such devastating windstorm was never experienced.

He said more than 70 houses were destroyed while foodstuff worth thousands of Naira were also destroyed.

Bello Dauda noted that with the high cost of building materials, it would be very difficult for those affected by the windstorm to repair their houses immediately.

“We appeal to the Taraba State government and the federal government emergency management agencies to assist us with relief materials, especially building materials, to repair our houses,” he said.

The chief of Mutumbiyu Chiefdom, retired Justice Sani Muhammed, who visited the affected areas, condoled with the parents of the deceased children.

He also called on the National Emergency Management Agency and Taraba State Government to assist victims of the wind storm disaster with relief materials.

The monarch also advised his subjects to stop cutting down trees which he said was responsible for the windstorm being experienced during the first rain of the year in recent time.

“The negative impact of desertification is now being felt every where. The devastating wind storm and erosion might not be unconnected with destruction of forest,” he said.

The operations officer in charge of Adamawa and Taraba states of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mr Ladan Ayuba, told Daily Trust Saturday that the agency has embarked on assessment tour of areas affected by the windstorm with a view to ascertain the level of destruction and provide relief materials.

Related Topics:children Featured houses Taraba Windstorm

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Court Dismisses Sowore’s Suit Against DSS, Meta

Published

4 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and political activist

Court Dismisses Sowore’s Suit Against DSS, Meta

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and political activist, against the Department of State Services (DSS), its Director‑General, and Meta Platforms Incorporated (formerly Facebook). The court held that the suit, which challenged the removal of a social media post and deactivation of Sowore’s Facebook account, lacked merit, and awarded a total of ₦1.5 million in costs against him.

Justice Mohammed Umar, who delivered the judgment, explained that the suit failed on all key legal issues, including claims relating to fair hearing, freedom of expression, and freedom of association under the Nigerian Constitution. Sowore had alleged that Meta, acting on instructions from the DSS and its Director-General, removed his post on August 26, 2025, in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal”, and subsequently deactivated his account.

Sowore’s legal team argued that the removal of the post and account action violated his constitutional rights to fair hearing, free expression, and association. He joined the DSS, its DG, Meta Platforms Inc., Meta Platforms Ltd., and Facebook Nigeria Operations Ltd. as respondents in the suit. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1887/2025, sought declaratory reliefs against the respondents for allegedly infringing these rights.

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In his ruling, Justice Umar stated that the right to fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the Constitution applies only to proceedings before courts or tribunals, not to complaints made by non-judicial bodies or private platforms. The judge emphasized that Sowore’s claim on fair hearing was therefore not justiciable under the fundamental rights enforcement procedure.

The court also found that Sowore’s freedom of expression and association were not violated, noting that constitutional rights are not absolute and may be restricted to protect the rights and reputation of others. The judge clarified that the DSS’s complaint to Meta and the platform’s action to remove the post were lawful steps under existing policies, and did not constitute a violation of Sowore’s rights.

Regarding the reliefs sought, Justice Umar held that Sowore failed to prove that his constitutional rights had been or were likely to be violated, and that the reliefs were therefore unwarranted. The suit was dismissed in its entirety.

Following applications for costs by counsel to the DSS and its DG, as well as Meta, the court awarded ₦500,000 each to the DSS, its DG, and Meta Platforms, totaling ₦1.5 million to be paid by Sowore.

The case highlights ongoing debates in Nigeria over online freedom of expression, state interventions, and the role of global tech platforms in moderating content following complaints by government agencies. Sowore, known for his activism and political engagement, has previously been involved in legal disputes and protests concerning government accountability and free speech.

Court Dismisses Sowore’s Suit Against DSS, Meta

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Kano APC Chieftain Dies in Abuja Hotel Elevator Accident

Published

4 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Abdulsalami Ginsau, the Assistant Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State

Kano APC Chieftain Abdulsalami Ginsau Dies in Abuja Hotel Elevator Accident

Tragic details have emerged surrounding the death of Abdulsalami Ginsau, the Assistant Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, who died after being trapped in a faulty elevator at Chida Hotels in Utako District, Abuja. The incident occurred on Friday, March 27, 2026, during the APC national convention.

Ginsau, a respected lawyer and party stalwart, had travelled to Abuja to coordinate accommodation for APC delegates from Kano State. After settling the delegates, he checked into Chida Hotels, unaware of the malfunctioning elevator in the facility. Sources reveal that although 150 rooms had been booked, over 1,000 delegates arrived, overwhelming the hotel’s capacity. The hotel reportedly raised concerns over elevator safety, but these warnings were reportedly ignored.

In the early hours of Friday, Ginsau reportedly entered the malfunctioning elevator on the third floor. The lift shaft was empty, and he tragically fell, going unnoticed until the following day, when staff detected a strong odor, prompting a search that led to the discovery of his remains.

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The Utako Police Division confirmed the incident, stating that the hotel management reported the accident on Saturday, March 28, 2026. An autopsy and police investigation are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.

The Kano State APC has called for a thorough investigation, alleging potential negligence by the hotel. Party leaders noted that Ginsau was in good health before the trip. A committee has been set up to work with security agencies to uncover the facts. The Kano State Government has also reached out to the family to ensure accountability and transparency.

Speaking for the family, Hamza Haladu described the death as “a complete shock,” highlighting Ginsau’s good health before the trip. The APC stalwart, known for his expertise in corporate, commercial, and property law, is survived by two wives and two children. His funeral is scheduled to take place in Kano on Thursday, April 3, 2026, in accordance with Islamic rites.

Ginsau held several leadership roles in the legal profession, including CEO of Ginsau & Sons and litigation work with Ginsau & Co. Advocates, specialising in labour, corporate, estate, and family law. Within the APC, he was a key strategist, playing a central role in party organisation in Kano State.

Kano APC Chieftain Abdulsalami Ginsau Dies in Abuja Hotel Elevator Accident

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VeryDarkMan Dares Sowore Over Blord’s Kuje Prison Remand

Published

4 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Trends Admin

VeryDarkMan Dares Sowore Over Blord’s Kuje Prison Remand

Controversial social media activist VeryDarkMan has fired back at politician and activist Omoyele Sowore following his criticism of the incarceration of cryptocurrency entrepreneur Blord. The case has ignited widespread discussion about identity theft, impersonation laws, and online accountability in Nigeria.

Blord, whose real name is Linus Williams Ifejirika, was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre on April 1, 2026, after being charged with criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and unauthorized use of VeryDarkMan’s identity for commercial purposes. Court proceedings have been scheduled to continue with Blord in custody until April 27, 2026.

The legal action arose after Blord allegedly used VeryDarkMan’s image without consent, including on promotional materials and advertisements, falsely presenting himself as a partner or endorser of certain businesses. VeryDarkMan claimed Blord even went as far as forging flight tickets in his name to promote events.

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In response to Sowore’s public condemnation of the case, VeryDarkMan took to Instagram to express disappointment that Sowore opted to speak publicly instead of contacting him privately. He warned Sowore against unauthorized use of his identity and threatened legal action if similar actions occurred.

“Dear Omoyele Sowore… because of the respect I have for you, if you had asked me to let it go, I might have,” VeryDarkMan wrote. “But instead, you chose to test your strength… On God, if you cross this path and use my face or name to promote any business without my approval, I, Martins Vincent Otse, will send you to prison… you might end up begging to discontinue the case.”

VeryDarkMan emphasized that the case highlights how wealth and influence do not place anyone above the law, pointing out that Blord—despite being perceived as well-connected—was remanded. This, he asserts, sends a strong message about the consequences of identity theft and impersonation in Nigeria.

Sowore, for his part, condemned the “celebration” of Blord’s incarceration, warning that the law should not be weaponized to target individuals. He pledged to work toward having the case dropped and Blord released, asserting that justice must be fair and impartial.

The dispute has sparked heated debates on social media, with some supporting VeryDarkMan’s strict stance on protecting personal identity, while others echo Sowore’s concerns about legal overreach and fairness. Observers note that the case has also raised questions about digital rights, online reputation management, and enforcement of impersonation laws in Nigeria’s fast-growing tech ecosystem.

As the case continues, it remains a flashpoint for discussions on law, online influence, and accountability, highlighting the challenges that arise when social media personalities, politicians, and entrepreneurs collide in Nigeria’s legal and digital spheres.