From Zara Nwachinemere Abakaliki,
Three persons were at the weekend struck dead by thunder during a heavy downpour in Ngodo community, Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi state.
The incident as gathered happened at about 3pm on Friday and the rainfall lasted for over 5 hours.
The three persons were killed in different locations in the local government area.
A resident of Afikpo, Iheukwumere Okogwu Otu, said one of the deceased was an indigene of Cross River state who has been living in the area for years.
He said: “Yes, it is true that thunder killed three persons in our place. There was a heavy rainfall that day which was accompanied by serious thunder and lightning.
“The thunder killed the three persons at a spot and it occurred in two different places. It killed two in Ngodo community and another person in another place. One of those that were killed is from Cross River state who settled in Afikpo”.
He described the tragic incident as unfortunate and first of its kind in the area.
Another resident, Eze Christian Egwu, disclosed that the heavy down pour started about 10:am on that fateful day.
He hinted the rain was so heavy that residents couldn’t go outside to carry out their normal business activities.
Egwu, the Youth President of Egeburu-Amaokwiri in the area, said the heavy down pour lasted for over 5 hours before the thunder struck and killed the deceased.
However, he said it was two people that were killed not three as being speculated.
“My dear, what you heard is true, it is true but two persons were killed and it occurred in Ngodo. It is true that thunder struck two persons dead in Ngodo”.
Police spokesperson, Loveth Odah said she was not aware of the incident at the time of this report.
