By joshua 
Whirlwind Collapses Church Building in Ebonyi
By Emmanuel Agbo, Abakaliki
A heavy windstorm has reportedly collapsed an Assemblies of God Church building in Okpuitumo Community, Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, forcing worshippers to conduct services under harsh weather conditions.
The incident occurred around 3am on Monday following a heavy downpour at Gmelina Junction in the community.
The development has left church members and residents in shock and confusion, as the whirlwind destroyed properties worth millions of naira.
Fortunately, no life was lost in the incident.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the windstorm also affected several nearby structures, ripping off the roofs of many shops within the junction.
A billboard belonging to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Rice Mill, Hon. Abel Uzodimma Nwozaka, was also destroyed, alongside several economic trees.
Speaking on the incident, the Pastor in charge of the church, Rev. Odorimo Moses, described the situation as unfortunate and devastating.
He explained that the building collapsed between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. during the storm.
“I was in the parsonage when I suddenly heard a loud, devastating noise. When I rushed out, I saw that the church building had already collapsed.
The zincs, woods, and walls had all fallen flat,” he said.
Rev. Moses added that several church properties, including plastic chairs, musical instruments, and the pulpit, were completely destroyed.
He appealed to the Ebonyi State Government and other well-meaning individuals for urgent assistance, noting that members are now forced to worship under rain and scorching sun.
The cleric called on Ebonyi State Governor Chief Francis Nwifuru, Senator representing Ebonyi North zone at the national Assembly Barr. Onyekachi Nwebonyi, member representing Abakaliki/Izzi Federal constituency Chief Emmanuel Uguru, Chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Area, Hon. Stephen Ebere Nwogba, Coordinator of Ekumenyi Development Centre, Hon. Chika Nwibo among others for support to ameliorate their sufferings.
Also speaking, a resident and victim of the storm, Mrs. Uguru Nwadurunne, a widow, said her house roof was blown off, while a 100kg bag of grinded beans and other valuables were destroyed.
She appealed to the state government for assistance to help cushion the effects of the disaster on her family.