By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Taraba State map and School Building Collapse |
A devastating storm caused a classroom block to collapse at Government Secondary School, Namnai, in Taraba State’s Gassol LGA, trapping students writing their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The incident occurred Wednesday evening amid heavy rainfall and fierce winds, leaving several injured and homes destroyed.
Around 6 p.m., just as the second batch of WAEC candidates began their papers, the aged structure gave way, burying students, teachers, NYSC members, and supervisors under debris. Fortunately, locals rushed to the scene, pulling survivors from the wreckage.
Witness Alhaji DanAzumi Lauris described the terrifying moment: “The wind was extremely strong, and the old building couldn’t hold up—it collapsed in seconds.” Several students suffered broken limbs and other injuries, with emergency treatment ongoing at a nearby healthcare center.
The tempest didn’t spare the surrounding community, destroying multiple homes. Meanwhile, in Jalingo, the same downpour disrupted WAEC exams, leaving some students stranded until 1 a.m. due to severe flooding.
Adding to the chaos, exam papers reportedly arrived late at some centers, forcing students to begin tests as late as 8 p.m. Officials have yet to comment, as calls to the State Commissioner for Basic Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, went unanswered.