By Atoyebi Nike
A sudden evening storm tore through Government Secondary School, Namnai, in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State on Wednesday, bringing down parts of the school building while students were taking their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The incident occurred shortly after 6pm as the second set of candidates began their exams. Local residents responded quickly to cries for help, pulling students, teachers, NYSC members, and external invigilators from the collapsed structure. Several students suffered various degrees of injuries, including suspected fractures, and are currently receiving treatment at the local health centre.
“A violent windstorm hit just as the second group started writing,” said community leader Alhaji DanAzumi Lauris. “The earlier set had left already. These buildings are old and gave way under the pressure.”
The same storm wreaked havoc across the wider region, destroying homes in Namnai and causing widespread disruption in Jalingo, the state capital. In some exam centres in the capital, candidates were forced to remain at their locations until well past midnight due to severe flooding and poor road conditions.
Meanwhile, some examination centres reportedly received their WAEC papers late, forcing candidates to begin writing as late as 8pm.
Repeated attempts to reach the Taraba State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, were unsuccessful as calls to her number went unanswered.
