By Our Correspondent
National News – Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun State, has expressed sympathy for residents affected by a destructive rainstorm that struck Osogbo and nearby communities on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
The severe downpour caused significant disruption, including property damage and traffic obstruction, prompting the state government to pledge support for victims and immediate intervention to restore normalcy.
According to reports circulating on social media, particularly a video shared by local community platform Osogbo Updates, the heavy rainfall caused chaos around Aregbe Junction in Osogbo.
A large roadside billboard reportedly collapsed during the storm, crashing onto a truck transporting soft drinks near a fast-food outlet.
The incident left commuters and residents shocked, while traffic was temporarily disrupted as bystanders gathered to assess the damage.
In a statement released on Sunday through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke described the incident as unfortunate and assured residents that the state government would support those affected.
The governor said he was deeply concerned about the impact of the rainstorm and promised that the administration would work through the Osun State Emergency Management Agency to address losses suffered by victims.
Adeleke also directed the Osun State Ministry of Works to immediately begin clearing affected roads and damaged structures to prevent additional accidents and restore traffic flow.
Officials have since been mobilised to assess the extent of the damage and implement necessary emergency measures.
The governor linked the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the region to climate change, noting that his administration has already introduced environmental policies aimed at reducing disaster risks.
He encouraged residents to support environmental protection efforts by planting trees and avoiding indiscriminate tree felling, which can worsen the impact of storms.
The development follows earlier weather projections by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, which predicted normal to above-normal rainfall across several parts of Nigeria, particularly in the southwestern region, during the 2026 rainy season.
Authorities are continuing to monitor weather conditions while assessing damage caused by the storm and planning assistance for affected residents.
