Heavy storm destroys buildings, schools in Anambra Community

Not less than 100 buildings have been destroyed by windstorms in Aguleri in Anambra East local government area of Anambra State.

The structures, including residential houses and schools, were mostly located at one of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) holding camps in Father Joseph Memorial High School in the area.

It was gathered the storm also wreaked havoc at the Justice Chinwuba Memorial Secondary School, Aguleri, forcing some of the students to study under the tree.

Aguleri is the hometown of Governor Willie Obiano.

A student, Chidera Udo, said they had returned from the Easter break to commence academic activities before the incident occurred.

“We were in the hostel in the night when a heavy wind started to blow off the roofs of the hostel and pushing out our doors. We had to run for our dear lives,” she said.

Principal of Father Joseph Memorial High School, Rev Father Anthony Okoye, said the storm rendered more than 2000 students stranded.

He said: “I have never seen such devastating incident, almost all the buildings in the school were affected, including the refectory, teachers quarters classroom blocks and hostels.

“The students will soon start exams and there are not enough classrooms for them now. We are calling on government, NEMA, SEMA, churches to come to our aid.”

The principal of Justice Chinwuba Memorial Secondary School, Aguleri, Mr Emmanuel Anerobi, said: “I told the contractor when he was roofing this structure that he was using substandard materials, but he turned deaf ears.

“Now look at our classroom block, the windstorm has carried it away. We are in dire need now.”