By DADA AYOKHAI
Amid the grief and shock over the Jattu market incident, there has been an outpouring of condolence messages from prominent citizens of Edo North.
The former Chief of Staff to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, was among the early mourners who conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.
Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, a former two-term deputy governor of Edo State, also extended his sympathy to the paramount ruler of the Uzairue kingdom, HRH Ogieneni of Uzairue kingdom, and the executive chairman of the Etsako West council area, Hon. Marvellous Zibiri, in whose domain the unfortunate incident took place.
In a press release signed by the Fugar, Etsako Central-born politician, Chief Oghiadomhe expressed his devastation over the incident and prayed for the repose of the souls of the affected innocent victims and those they left behind to mourn them.
There has been no official figure on the death toll recorded in the Jattu market incident. However, unofficial sources put the number of the dead at six.
The casualty rate from the incident rose due to the large number of traders and others who were reported to have taken shelter from the early morning downpour under the numerous trees lining the Jattu market.
Eyewitnesses recounted that as the early morning rains intensified, the trees succumbed and trapped many of those hiding under their shelter. There were also reports of several other people being injured.
Fortunately, the early arrival of the emergency response team of the Etsako West council helped to rescue some of those trapped in the rubbles of the fallen trees. The injured were treated on the spot and allowed to go back home, while the dismantling of the fallen trees to rescue some of the trapped victims continued.
Chief Oghiadomhe acknowledged that the incident was a natural disaster, but he noted that the scale was unprecedented in the region.
He said, “It is with great sadness that I address the tragic incident of a violent rainstorm that occurred in Jattu, resulting in the loss of lives and properties at the renowned Jattu market.
“I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, the Council Chairman of Etsako West Local Government, and His Royal Highness, the Ogieneni of Uzairue. May Almighty God grant eternal peace to the souls of the departed.”
While praying for the speedy recovery of the injured, Chief Oghiadomhe also expressed his wish that the local government would not experience such a calamity again.
