By Ahmed Idris
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday directed the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, to lead a federal government delegation immediately to Bauchi state in the aftermath of the windstorm which destroyed an estimated 1505 houses mainly in the state capital.
Eight persons have been confirmed dead while 120 others have various degrees of injury.
Azare, another major town was struck by a major fire disaster that destroyed the market in the town a few days after.
The delegation which includes the Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engineer Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, is to undertake an assessment of the extent of damage occasioned by the natural disaster.
Already, NEMA has started mobilising relief items from its warehouses located in Damaturu and Yola for onward distribution to those displaced by the windstorm, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said in a statement in Abuja.
He said the aid materials are expected to reach Bauchi on Tuesday evening while assessment is being conducted on the fire incident in Azare.
In an earlier message on Monday, the President extended sympathies to the victims and families of the windstorm and the fire incidents, saying the “nation stands in solidarity with their fellow countrymen in this difficult time as they face the devastation with courage and fortitude.”