Over 1,200 homes affected, four killed as Borno governor announces relief measures and warns against indiscriminate tree felling

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Sunday morning, travelled to Bama town to commiserate with victims of a devastating windstorm that affected several households.

Zulum was accompanied to Bama by the member of the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba, Secretary to Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, Acting Chief of Staff, Engr Babagana Mustapha Malumbe, former commissioners and other senior government officials.

He announced immediate relief measures, including a cash payment of N500,000 to the families of each of those that lost their lives in the windstorm.

Governor Zulum also directed prompt assessment of the extent of destruction across the affected areas, stating that support would be provided based on the severity of damage to each household.

While acknowledging the immediate needs of the victims, Zulum used the opportunity to warn residents against the indiscriminate felling of trees. a practice he said is the major cause of windstorms and other environmental disasters in the region.

“We must stop cutting down trees arbitrarily. This is a key factor behind the increasing intensity of storms and ecological challenges we face. We already have laws on the ground, and there is a need to ensure that we fully implement them,” Zulum said.

The governor further reassured displaced persons of his administration’s unwavering commitment to returning all those still living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps to their ancestral homes in safety and dignity.

According to Bama Local Government Chairman, Babagana Barma, no fewer than 1,200 houses were affected by the disaster, while four persons tragically lost their lives.