Several worshippers have sustained injuries after a church building collapsed in the Jantaro community of Mutum-Biyu town, located in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The incident occurred on Sunday, June 15, 2025, during a worship session at the United Methodist Church Nigeria (UMCN), which is situated behind the Police Divisional office in the area.
The collapse followed a heavy downpour accompanied by a strong windstorm that swept through parts of the town. Residents confirmed that worshippers were already inside the building when the structure gave way. Fortunately, no deaths were recorded.
Many of the injured individuals were quickly taken to the Mutumbiyu Referral Hospital for medical attention. Those who sustained broken limbs were rushed to a well-known local bone setter in the town.
Local Bone Healer and Community Speak on Injuries
The local bone setter, Alhaji Baffa Wanzami, confirmed receiving three patients with serious fractures. Among them was a young girl who suffered broken bones in her arms and legs.
“It is very sad that some worshippers were injured while others got fractures when the church they were conducting service collapsed. Some of those that got fractures including a little girl were brought to me and I set their fractured bones,” Wanzami said.
He expressed sympathy for the victims and assured that their treatment was ongoing. He noted that the damage could have been worse if the collapse had occurred during a larger event or without immediate response.
A resident of the area, Musa Adamu, also confirmed that other structures in the town were affected by the windstorm. “Some houses in the town were also destroyed,” he said, describing the rain as unusually heavy.
Mutum-Biyu, which lies in central Taraba, has faced similar weather-related incidents in the past, particularly during the rainy season. However, residents say this event was more intense, possibly due to aging buildings and poor infrastructure maintenance in some parts of the community.
Local authorities are yet to issue an official statement about the incident or announce any plans for rebuilding or support for the affected families and church.
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