Four persons have been confirmed dead while over 26, 000 people are displaced as a result of a windstorm that ravaged eight local government areas in the northern part of Cross River State.

The storm that has raged throughout the week, destroyed property worth several millions of Naira as over 2,200 public and private houses, had their roofs either blown off or completely destroyed.

According to UNICEF’s Desk Officer, Mr. Anthony Unoh, and Programme Manager for State Emergency Management Agency, Akpotu-Adesi, the affected local government areas include Ikom, Obanliku, Bekwarra, Obudu, Yala, Ogoja, Odukpani and Boki.

Mr Unoh noted that the disaster has prompted the governor of the state, Mr Liyel Imoke, to invite the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), for necessary assistance to the victims.

Students in most of the affected secondary and primary schools are now studying under trees or shades.

The worst hit schools are the Secondary Commercial School, Kakwagom, St. Patrick’s Primary school, Kakwagom, and the Bawop Secondary School, all in Boki Local Government Area.

A community leader from Utugwang, Mr. Aliko David Mkpa, sttaed that he lost his house to the windstorm while his family has relocated to the neighboring community.”

Mr Mkpa pleaded for support saying “we need help from government and other donor agencies immediately, because it has become very difficult for us to even eat.”