Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
According to reports, lightning from yesterday’s heavy rain in Imo State killed two people and injured four others in Ndegwu, Owerri West LGA.
Emeka Gerald Mbah, 39, of Umuejekaubi Umuahum Ndegwu, and his friend, Chigbumkpa Ernest Odionyenma, 36, of Umuadi Umuogwuta in Ndegwu Community, were killed instantly when thunder struck during heavy rain at about 5:00 p.m.
According to an eyewitness, Stanley Opara, the two victims and four other injured people were hired to work as laborers at a building site in Umuogwuta village in Ndegwu when lightning and thunder suddenly enveloped the community.
He revealed that those who survived were thrown into the foundation of the building and were severely injured.
Opara revealed that the deceased were both married with children and members of the Assemblies of God Church in Ndegwu until their untimely deaths.
“It shook the entire community like an electric spark and a heavy thunderstorm.” “People were screaming in front of the site, and when we ran out, we saw two figures lying down,” he explained.
According to community sources who requested anonymity, the incident drew residents of the area and many others who gnashed their teeth in pain and wondered what caused the thunder strike during the heavy rain.
Kelechi Iwuagwu speculated on what caused the thunder, saying, “we are shocked until now and we cannot comprehend the mystery of the thunder strike.” We know from the manner in which they were murdered that it was not ordinary, and those who survived must thank God for their lives.”
Meanwhile, five people were killed by a mysterious thunderstorm at Ago Dada, near Ala village in Ondo State’s Akure North Local Government Area.
The five middle-aged men were reportedly playing football when the incident occurred.
An eyewitness, a chief hunter, told reporters that the victims were farmers from other states, and that the people of the village accused the community’s head of complicity in the mysterious incident, noting that a similar incident occurred in the area last year, when nine villagers were struck by a thunderstorm.
According to the report, it took the timely intervention of police officers and hunters to save the village chief from being lynched.
Another eyewitness, Godwin Achon, a cocoa farmer, stated, “the son of my friend, an indigene of Bekwarra Local Government Area in Cross River State, is one of the victims.” My friend has lived in the village for a few years. It’s quite shocking. We’ve already planned how to transport the body to Ogoja for burial.”
When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the development, noting that only four young men were involved.
Odunlami, on the other hand, described the incident as a natural disaster, noting that the four young men were playing football at the community school at the time.
