Esther Salifu
A severe windstorm caused the collapse of classrooms at Government Secondary School, Namnai, in Taraba State’s Gassol Local Government Area on Wednesday, disrupting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and injuring several students and staff.
During a heavy downpour around 6 p.m., strong winds led to the sudden collapse of a two-storey building under construction at the school. The incident occurred while the second batch of final-year students was taking their WASSCE exams. Eyewitnesses reported that the storm intensified shortly after the exams commenced, causing the structure to give way.
“It was the second set that got caught when the rain started. The classrooms collapsed just minutes after the exam began,” said Alhaji DanAzumi Lauris, a resident of Namnai.
Several students and examination officials, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), were trapped under the debris. Local residents quickly mobilized to rescue those affected, pulling victims from the rubble. Dozens sustained injuries ranging from fractures to other physical traumas and were transported to a nearby primary healthcare center for treatment.
The windstorm not only affected the school but also damaged numerous houses across the town. This incident is part of a series of recent windstorms in Taraba State, which have destroyed over 500 houses and claimed lives in various communities within Gassol Local Government Area.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the building’s collapse. However, the incident underscores the urgent need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness in the region.
