No fewer than five people have been confirmed dead and three others injured in Bauchi following a heavy downpour accompanied by a whirlwind on Saturday
Usman Abdullahi Koli, the public relations officer of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, confirmed the information to reporters at a press conference on the event.
According to him, the hospital saw six patients who were brought in for treatment; three of them passed away in the Trauma Center while the other three are still being treated.
“It is true that we received a certain number of casualties from the incident scene,” the PRO stated. Sadly, two of them were brought in dead from serious head and abdominal injuries.
Three patients with many fractures are having treatment and are progressively getting better; the other one passed away soon after arriving.”
He further stated, “Once our medical team concludes the report, we will provide an update, but at the moment, this is what we have on the ground.”
Several eyewitnesses bemoaned the structures demolished by the windstorm, claiming that the constructors utilized inferior building materials, while they were inside some of the attached businesses within the trade fair complex. Some claimed that the victims’ deaths were the result of a divine act.
Mahmood Baba Ma’aji, the State Commissioner of Commerce and Industry and the person in charge of the trade show, verified the damage caused by the strong winds and rain between 8:30 and 9 p.m. on Saturday.
He claims, “This incidence happened last evening at eight o’clock. It was caused by a powerful windstorm and a lot of rain, and the state administration is not pleased with the outcome.
But he said, “It is God’s creation, so no one should place the blame on the contractor or any other person.” This has occurred and has had an impact on some areas of the city.”
