Osogbo torrential rainfall tragedy leaves a woman dead, properties destroyed and several injured after severe winds and flooding
A 47-year-old woman, identified as Fausat Ganiyu, has died following a severe storm that accompanied torrential rainfall in Osogbo on Saturday evening, as strong winds swept through multiple communities causing widespread destruction.
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The Osogbo torrential rainfall tragedy unfolded around 8 p.m. when heavy downpours were accompanied by violent winds that damaged homes, uprooted trees and disrupted daily activities across areas including Ogo-Oluwa, Aregbe, Sabo, Testing Ground, Oke-Oniti, Awosuru, Oke Baale and Oke Fia.
Eyewitnesses in the Sabo area described a sudden and intense gust of wind that uprooted a large tree and sent it crashing onto a roadside structure where several traders and passersby had taken shelter from the rain.
The impact occurred with little warning, leaving those nearby scrambling for safety.
“The wind was very strong, and before anyone could react, the tree fell directly on the container. People were shouting and trying to escape, but it happened suddenly,” a resident said.
Fausat Ganiyu was among those sheltering at the location when the tree struck the structure, killing her instantly.
Several other individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries in the incident and were rushed to a nearby hospital by emergency responders and concerned bystanders for urgent medical attention.
Family members of the deceased said she had been returning home from her shop behind Hamadiyya Mosque when the rain began, prompting her to stop briefly for shelter at the scene where the fatal accident occurred.
“She only stopped there to avoid the rain. We never imagined that would be her last moment,” a relative said.
Properties worth millions of naira were reportedly damaged across affected neighbourhoods, with residents continuing to assess the extent of the destruction in the aftermath of the storm.
Governor Ademola Adeleke expressed condolences to those affected, describing the incident as deeply saddening.
In a statement issued through his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke extended sympathy to the bereaved family and urged residents to remain cautious amid unpredictable weather conditions.
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The tragedy has renewed concerns about public safety during extreme weather events, particularly in densely populated areas where makeshift shelters and roadside structures offer limited protection against natural forces.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
