A devastating windstorm has destroyed about 1,000 houses and damaged several others across communities in Mokwa, Bida and other local councils of Niger State.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said the incident occurred between last week and Tuesday, according to a preliminary report released yesterday.

Director General of NSEMA, Comrade Abdullahi Baba Arah, disclosed in a statement that communities affected in Mokwa Local Council include Sawmill, Kpege Wayata, Station Girigi, Efu Shaba Lile, Tifin Madza, Yafu, Etisheshi, Hakimi Aliyu and Nasfat areas.

In Bida Local Council, the affected wards are Cheniyan, Nasarafu, Bariki, Kyari, Dokoza, Masaga A and Masaga B.

Arah added that windstorm incidents were also recorded in Lavun, Katcha, Gbako and Mariga Local Councils, where more than 100 houses had earlier been reported to have been destroyed in Durgu Community under Bobi Ward in Mariga Local Council.

He said NSEMA, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and local council authorities, is conducting detailed assessments to determine the full extent of the damage and the humanitarian needs of affected residents.

The agency assured that further updates would be provided as the assessment continued.