A devastating windstorm that struck Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State has rendered hundreds of residents homeless.  

The storm, which occurred on Friday and Sunday, affected several communities, destroying houses, schools, health facilities and electricity poles, while displacing many residents and causing widespread hardship.

One of the victims, Malam Musa, said the incident occurred on Friday evening when strong winds began at about 3 pm and ripped off the entire roof of his house in the Auramo Quarters area, leaving his family displaced.

According to him, the storm also damaged several parts of the building and destroyed valuable household property.

Another victim, Malam Muhammad, said the windstorm completely damaged his four-bedroom house, forcing his wives and children to seek temporary shelter elsewhere.

The affected residents appealed to the government, humanitarian organisations and well-meaning individuals to assist them in mitigating the impact of the disaster.

Speaking during a sympathy visit to the affected communities, the chairman of Ringim Local Government Council, Hon. Badamasi Garba disclosed that hundreds of houses had been affected by the disaster.

He said the local government council, the Jigawa State Government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were working together to provide relief assistance to the victims.

The chairman added that all district heads had been directed to liaise with village heads to compile comprehensive records of those affected by the windstorm.

He expressed sympathy to the victims and prayed for the repose of the deceased child’s soul, as well as for the bereaved family to have the strength to bear the loss.

Also speaking during a courtesy visit to the council chairman, the NEMA director for the Kano/Jigawa zonal office, Dr Nuraddeen Abdullahi, said officials were in Jigawa State to sympathise with the victims and assess the extent of the damage.

According to him, “We are here to visit the affected communities to sympathise with the victims on behalf of the federal government and to assess the level of destruction for possible intervention.”

Represented by Zakar Muhammad, the NEMA director reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to supporting the victims and helping them recover from their losses.

A Maiduguri-based businessman, Umar Bashir, has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without option of fine for terrorism financing.

The convict who claimed to be a major dealer in oil perfumes and also a Point Of Sales, POS, operator, was found guilty of using his account number 2213629628 with the United Bank of Africa, UBA, to transact money transfer for members of the Boko Haram sect.

He specifically admitted using the bank account to accept a cash amount of N5 million from a Boko Haram member, Ibrahim Modu, and later transferred same into the Access Bank account of the terrorist, with number 1834250967.

The convict admitted committing the offence at Maiduguri in 2025, adding that he got a commission of N20,000 from the deal.

Upon his arraignment by the Federal Government on Monday, Bashir pleaded guilty as charged.

Based on his admission of guilt and his confessional statement, Justice Binta Fatimah Nyako subsequently pronounced him guilty and sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment without option of fine.

Justice Nyako ordered that the sentence should begin from 2025 when he was arrested and detained.

The judge turned down the convict’s request for leniency, stressing that the law must take its course.

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have repelled an attack by suspected Lakurawa terrorists and recovered rocket-propelled grenade launchers, explosives and other items during a clearance operation in Kebbi State.

According to a military report released on Monday, the operation was carried out by troops of the 8 Division under Sector 2 around Dogon Daji in Dandi Local Government Area on Sunday.

The report said the troops encountered the suspected terrorists during an offensive operation, leading to a firefight in which the assailants were overwhelmed by the military’s superior firepower and forced to flee.

Following the encounter, troops pursued the fleeing suspects and carried out exploitation operations in the area.

Items recovered during the operation included rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launch tubes, rocket-propelled grenades, several improvised explosive devices (IEDs), two motorcycles, a charger and other personal belongings allegedly abandoned by the terrorists.

The military said no casualties were recorded among the troops during the operation.

It added that the mission formed part of ongoing efforts by Operation Fansan Yamma to dismantle terrorist and bandit networks operating across the North-West.

According to the report, sustained offensive operations have continued to disrupt the activities and logistics of criminal groups, while further operations are underway to track down the fleeing suspects and consolidate gains recorded in the area.