Hundreds homeless as rainstorm destroys 50 houses in Ondo

Hundreds of people have been rendered homeless as about 50 buildings have been destroyed in Ikare-Akoko and Arigidi Akoko towns in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State by rainstorm.
The rainstorm, which occurred on Monday during a heavy downpour at about 7pm, destroyed school buildings and shops and stalls.
As the residents count their loses, a leader in Ikare-Akoko, Chief Saliu Okoya, who expressed regrets over the ugly incident, urged the state and federal governments to assist the victims.
He said that although the community had provided alternative shelter for those who have their buildings destroyed by the rainstorm, the assistance of the government was still needed to cushion the effects of the rainstorm.
Okoya disclosed that the incident had affected power supply to the area, as many electric poles were pulled down by the storm and other electric equipment.
He also appealed to the authorities of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, to repair and restore power supply to the area on time.
In his reaction to the incident, the Olukare of Ikare Akoko, Oba Akadri Momoh, lamented that the incident would affect the socioeconomic activities of the affected towns.
The traditional ruler appealed to the state government and the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to assist the affected communities.