Windstorm, Rainstorm Wreck 179 Houses, Displace Over 2,000 in Edo Communities

By Margaret Abah

BENIN — No fewer than 179 houses have been damaged and more than 2,000 residents displaced following a devastating wind and rainstorm that hit three communities in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

The affected communities—Eroke Atte, Ukwa Erekpe and Okagba—were struck by the storm on February 1, 2026, at about 5:00pm, according to a preliminary assessment by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

This was disclosed in a statement posted on the NEMA Edo State Facebook handle on Monday.

In a report dated February 6, 2026, NEMA’s Benin Operations Office said it conducted a joint damage assessment of the affected areas in collaboration with the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to ascertain the extent of the destruction.

Findings from the assessment revealed that 179 residential buildings were affected by the disaster, impacting 337 households and a total of 2,022 persons.

“A total of 179 houses were affected, with 337 households impacted and 2,022 persons affected by the disaster,” the agency stated.

NEMA noted that women and children were the most vulnerable victims of the disaster, with many currently taking refuge in neighbouring communities.

“Affected persons, mostly women and children, are currently taking shelter with relatives in nearby communities,” the report added.

The agency further disclosed that the storm caused extensive damage to public infrastructure, compounding the hardship faced by residents.

“Critical infrastructure, including about 12 electricity poles, were destroyed during the storm,” NEMA said.

In addition, economic trees, which serve as a major source of livelihood for residents, were destroyed, while social facilities also suffered damage.

“A primary school and a health care centre in the affected communities were also damaged by the windstorm,” the agency noted.

Describing the scale of destruction as severe, NEMA said the affected communities are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

“The level of destruction caused by the disaster is severe, and the affected people are in need of urgent assistance,” the agency stated.

NEMA added that a more detailed assessment would be completed and submitted to its management for further action.

“A comprehensive report using the approved template will be forwarded for management consideration,” the agency concluded.