Benue Students Sit Exams in Damaged Classrooms After Storm Ravages School

By Abah Margaret

Students of Jesus College, Otukpo, in Benue State have continued their terminal examinations in severely damaged classrooms following a destructive windstorm that hit the school.

The storm, which occurred on Friday night, left significant damage to key facilities, including classrooms, laboratories, the staff room, and staff quarters.

The school’s principal, Simon Omala, described the incident as devastating, noting that nearly all major structures within the school were affected.

“The windstorm destroyed almost everything in the school — classrooms, staff quarters, the staff room, and even the examination hall,” he said.

According to him, students were away when the storm struck but returned on Monday to a badly damaged learning environment.

He disclosed that at least 12 classrooms were completely unroofed, while other buildings also suffered varying degrees of damage. The school’s ICT laboratory was not spared, as rainwater reportedly damaged several electronic equipment.

“Our ICT laboratory was affected. Rainwater soaked some of the equipment, and electronics cannot withstand such exposure,” Omala added.

Despite the destruction, the school management has put in place temporary measures to ensure that examinations continue without disruption. Some students are currently writing their exams in alternative locations, including the school chapel and other partially intact structures.

“We are making temporary arrangements to enable students complete their exams. Some are writing in the chapel and other available spaces,” he explained.

The principal further revealed that the school would shut down temporarily after the examinations to allow for proper assessment and repairs. He warned that the situation could affect preparations for the upcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) scheduled for April.

Authorities React

The Area Education Officer for Otukpo, Bernard Oga, who visited the school, described the level of destruction as extensive.

“It is really devastating. Almost the entire school has been affected,” he said, adding that the incident has been reported to the Benue State Ministry of Education for urgent intervention.

Oga noted that a detailed report, including photographic evidence, has been submitted to the Commissioner for Education, while inspections are ongoing in other affected schools within the area.

Community Impact, Call for Support

The storm also wreaked havoc on homes and businesses across Otukpo, leaving several families displaced.

The Och’Idoma, Elaigwu Odogbo, through the Mayor of Otukpo, Ignatius Ogbogo, called for urgent assistance from federal and state authorities, as well as emergency response agencies.

“What we welcomed as the first rainfall of the year has brought unexpected hardship to many households,” the statement said.

In a related development, residents of Ejuku community in Kogi State reported that a similar storm destroyed about 40 houses, leaving many people homeless. Community leaders have appealed for urgent relief support.

Back in Otukpo, school authorities say their immediate priority remains ensuring that students complete their examinations safely while awaiting intervention to rebuild the damaged facilities.