A severe windstorm accompanied by heavy rain claimed the lives of four individuals at IBB Square, the permanent site of the trade fair ground in Bauchi, on Saturday night.
The Bauchi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmad Muhammad Wakil, confirmed the tragic incident to newsmen. According to Wakil, five people were found in the collapsed buildings; four were deceased, and one sustained injuries.
The deceased have been identified as Abdullahi Abubakar, 38, from Yakubu Wanka area; Sadiq Ahmed Alfa, 32, resident of Fadaman Mada area; Malam Musa from Maliya Ventures, Tudun Salmanu; and Abdullahi Abdurrahman from Gombe state.
The IBB Square had recently hosted the 15th North-East zone trade fair, which saw participation from various states in the region. The windstorm caused significant damage to the stalls of Gombe and Yobe states and several commercial tents in the market.
Bauchi State Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Mahmood Baba Ma’aji Abubakar, detailed the destruction, noting that it occurred between 8:30 and 9 PM. “This incident occurred around 8 o’clock yesterday due to a heavy downpour and strong windstorm,” he said. “The state government is deeply concerned with what has happened.”
Abubakar emphasized that the trade fair had concluded over a week ago, but some people continued to conduct small businesses in the area. He urged them to vacate the site as instructed by the government to prevent further incidents.
Authorities, including the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), police, and fire service officials, promptly responded to the scene, rescuing the injured and recovering the bodies of those who perished.
Alhaji Sani Tahir Hamid, Director General of the Bauchi State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (BACCIMA), extended condolences to the families of the deceased. “Our condolences to all the families of the four men who died due to the windstorm at IBB Square. May God shower them with mercy and grant them peace. May Allah make them among the martyrs and bless those they left behind. For the injured, may Allah heal their wounds and bless them,” he said.
The incident has cast a shadow over the recent trade fair and underscores the need for improved safety measures at such events.
