Thunder kills 2, injures 1in Niger community

 

Two people were killed and one injured by thunder Friday at Pogo community in Paikoro local government area of Niger State, Daily Trust learnt on Sunday. 

Twenty-five year-old Aliyu Salihu and a 13 year old student of an Islamic school whose name was simply given as Abbas died instantly when thunder struck during a light rain shower at about 8pm that fateful evening,   while one Abdullahi sustained injuries in the process. 

Late Aliyu's father,  Malam Salihu Makeri told our correspondent that the victims were harvesting mangoes when lightening suddenly envolped the community with the accompanying thunder. 

"It was like an electric sparks and 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 mangoe tree "  he explained. 

He said Aliyu and Abbas died instantly,  while Abdullahi sustained injuries. 

He pointed at the gapping hole where the victims reportedly met their death when our correspondent visited the community. 

He described the death of Aliyu who he said was his eldest child as devastating,  adding that the family was putting pressure on him to get married before death came calling.