Benue: Students sit exams at Jesus College, Otukpo, in damaged classrooms after storm tears off roofs

Students of Jesus College in Otukpo, Benue State, returned on Monday for their terminal examinations only to meet severely damaged classrooms and facilities following a windstorm.

The school principal, Simon Omala, told PREMIUM TIMES that the storm, which struck on Friday night, affected major parts of the school, including classrooms, laboratories, staff quarters, and other structures.

“The windstorm blew down almost everything in the school. Staff quarters, classrooms, the staff room, and the exam hall. Virtually everything was affected,” Mr Omala said.

He explained that students were not on campus when the incident occurred but came back on Monday to find widespread destruction.

“This morning, the students came to continue their terminal examinations. They were shocked by the level of destruction,” he said.

Established in 1954 by the Methodist Church and now under state ownership, the school has over 400 students.

At least 12 classrooms reportedly lost their roofs, while other buildings within the premises also suffered damage.

The storm also impacted the school’s ICT laboratory, with rainwater damaging some equipment.

“Our ICT laboratory was affected. Rainwater soaked some of the equipment. Electronics do not survive such exposure, so some of the facilities have already been damaged,” he said.

Despite the situation, examinations are ongoing under temporary arrangements.

“We are managing temporary arrangements for them to finish their exams. Some will write in the chapel and other spaces that were not completely destroyed,” he explained.

Mr Omala added that exams are expected to end on Wednesday, after which the school may shut temporarily to allow for proper assessment and repairs.

He raised concerns about the impact on final-year students preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) scheduled for April.

“Students are supposed to read in their classrooms and prepare well. With the structures destroyed, it will bring a lot of inconvenience to them,” he said.

The Area Education Officer for Otukpo, Bernard Oga, described the destruction as extensive after visiting the school.

“It is really devastating. Almost the whole school is down,” Mr Oga told PREMIUM TIMES.

He confirmed that the incident has been reported to the state Ministry of Education.

“I have sent pictures of the destruction to the Commissioner for Education. We have also been asked to print and submit a detailed report,” he said.

Mr Oga noted that other schools in the area were also affected and said he would visit them to assess the situation.

“I will still go to Wesley High School, St Monica’s and Bishop Okoche to see the extent of the damage there,” he said.

The storm also caused damage to homes and businesses in Otukpo, prompting the Och’Idoma, Elaigwu Odogbo, to seek urgent support for affected residents.

In a statement issued through the Mayor of Otukpo, Ignatius Ogbogo, the monarch appealed to the federal and Benue State governments, as well as the National Emergency Management Agency, to intervene.

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

The statement noted that several houses were destroyed and some residents displaced, urging authorities to provide relief materials and improve drainage systems to prevent future incidents.

In a related development, residents of Ejuku community in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State reported that a storm destroyed nearly 40 houses on March 12.

Community leaders said many families were left homeless and appealed to the state government and political representatives for urgent help.

They also expressed concern that no official assistance had reached the area days after the incident.

Back in Otukpo, school authorities say their priority is ensuring students complete their examinations safely while awaiting support to restore damaged facilities.