A heavy rainstorm battered Osogbo on Saturday evening, tearing roofs from houses, churches and shops and leaving many families without shelter in the Osun State capital.
The fierce downpour struck several neighbourhoods, including Testing Ground, Oke Oniti, Awosuru, Gbongan Road and Oke Baale.
Residents rushed to salvage their belongings while neighbours began makeshift repairs on the shattered buildings.
One pastor whose church lost its roof spoke for many when he appealed for urgent help.
“The roofs of many buildings in this area got blown off,” Pastor Israel said.
“Many people are displaced. The government should provide succour and relief materials to ease the trauma.”
Meanwhile, a large billboard toppled onto the busy Osogbo-Gbongan Road and blocked traffic for a short time before workers cleared it away.
No injuries were reported, but the damage left entire streets looking battered.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke moved quickly to respond.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor called the incident “sad and unfortunate” and promised immediate support through the Osun State Emergency Management Agency.
“I feel deeply touched and alarmed by the incident,” Adeleke said.
“My administration will put in place all morally and officially possible measures to offset the losses incurred by victims in Osogbo and other affected communities.”
He also ordered the Ministry of Works to clear the motorways without delay to avoid further accidents.
The governor linked the growing number of such storms to climate change.
He urged residents to plant more trees and stop cutting them down without control, saying simple steps like these could help protect the state in future.
As families begin to pick up the pieces, relief efforts are already under way to get roofs back over heads and normal life restored.
