Residents of Ketu and Mile 12 in Lagos State were gripped by fear and anxiety on Thursday morning after an unusual cloud formation was followed by powerful winds that reportedly caused damage and disrupted traffic along the busy Ikorodu Road corridor.
The incident, which occurred during the early hours of the morning, initially attracted the attention of residents who noticed a strange formation stretching across the sky.
Olawale Ibrahim, Kosofe Inside Out correspondent who witnessed the incident, reported that several residents brought out their mobile phones to photograph and record videos of the unusual sight.
However, what began as a moment of curiosity quickly turned into fear as powerful winds swept through the neighbourhood just minutes later.
According to Ibrahim, the sudden windstorm caused panic among residents, with the intensity of the winds appearing particularly unusual given the relatively light rainfall that accompanied the incident.
At Ile-Ile Bus Stop along Ikorodu Road, traffic came to a standstill as the storm disrupted movement and activities around the busy transport corridor.
The correspondent also reported damage in parts of the affected neighbourhood, although the specific properties affected and the full extent of the destruction have yet to be established.
Photographs captured during the incident show a striking horizontal cloud formation stretching across the sky above residential buildings.
Although such formations can accompany approaching thunderstorms and strong winds, the exact nature of Thursday morning’s weather event has not been independently confirmed by meteorological authorities.
The incident also raises concerns about the safety of roadside structures, rooftops and electrical installations during sudden windstorms, particularly in densely populated communities along the Ikorodu Road corridor.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no independently confirmed information about casualties or the full extent of property damage.
Residents and motorists are advised to exercise caution around damaged structures, fallen electrical cables and any roads obstructed by storm debris.
Kosofe Inside Out will continue monitoring developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Photo: Unusual cloud formation spotted over the Ketu–Mile 12 area shortly before Thursday morning’s reported windstorm.
Photo Credit: Olawale
Ibrahim / Kosofe Inside Out