Thunder strike kills two in Niger State

25-year-old Aliyu Salihu and a 13-year-old student of an Islamic school identified as Abbas, reportedly died on Friday evening after they were struck by thunder in Pogo Community, Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, an incident which another injured too.



It was gathered that the thunder struck during a light rain shower at about 8pm, killing Aliyu and Abbas instantly and leaving Abdullahi with injuries.

Confirming the incident, Aliyu’s father, Malam Salihu Makeri who pointed the spot where the incident occurred while speaking to newsmen, said the victims were harvesting mangoes when lightning suddenly enveloped the community with the accompanying thunder.

“It was like electric sparks, followed by a heavy thunderstorm which shook the entire community. People were screaming in front of my house and when I rushed out, I saw three figures lying under the mango tree. Abbas and my son, Aliyu, died on the spot, but Abdullahi was injured” he said.

Punch reported that grieving father, described the death of Aliyu, his eldest child, as “devastating,” adding that the family had before his death encouraged him to get married, but he died single.