By the time the natural disaster was over, 22 persons – including a two-year-old boy – lay dead. Critically injured were 35 other victims.
For worshipers at St. Robert’s Catholic Church, Adamgbe, Vandeakya Local Goverment Area of Benue State, Saturday night was a night of sorrow and pain.
They were keeping a vigil awaiting the resurrection but a natural disaster that had never before been witnessed in the area happened.
Among the dead were 16 women and six children who had thronged the church to usher in the Easter festivities.
Over 1000 worshippers had gathered at 9pm for the commencement of the open air service within the premises of the church without a premonition of what awaited them.
A witness said the service had commenced but midway into the worship, there was a heavy rain storm and wind which forced the Parish Priest, Rev. Father Cosmos Jooli, to relocate the service indoors into the 49-year-old church building.
But as the service was going on, a strong rainstorm seized the building, pulling down the roof and walls on the worshippers which prompted a stampede and death of many who could have survived the tragedy.
According to the witness, the wailing and cry of the victims attracted the attention of villagers who stormed the church premises to rescue survivors.
He also disclosed that a family lost three members to the disaster.
Recounting their ordeal, three survivors, Philip Ierkwagh, Mathias Tyagber and Joseph Wuhe said the death toll was high among women and children.
They said the women and children, who died, were the first to go into the church when the storm started and had the opportunity to sit near the altar which was the first point that collapsed.
The men had sought shelter at a nearby primary school.
According to Tyagber, "many of the women died because they were occupying the front roll and many of them had their children lying on mats. Many of the male members of the church took refuge in a nearby primary school while the storm raged.”
"When the building came crashing down, many of the children and women were instantly crushed.
"The death toll would have been higher but because most of those who were sitting outside moved in quickly to rescue most of the survivors,” he said.
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