Thunder kills 2 in Sokoto

Two men, aged 18 and 22 years respectively, were on Thursday killed by thunder, the Chairman, Goronyo Local Government Council of Sokoto State, Alhaji Zubairu Yari, has said.

Yari said yesterday that the tragedy occurred in Giyawa village where the deceased were taking refuge under a tree as their houses were among the more than 150 destroyed by flood, when the thunder struck.

“They were taking refuge under the tree struck by lightening sequel to the destruction of their houses by a ravaging flood. Unfortunately, they died on the spot and they were buried that same day in the village according to Islamic rites,” Yari said.

The chairman said that several other persons who were injured as a result of the flood were treated at Goronyo General Hospital and discharged.

The chairman estimated the cost of property destroyed by the flood to be N20 million.

According to him, several farmlands, dozens of livestock and assorted household items as well as stored food items such as rice, onions, garlic, millet, beans  and guinea corn among others were washed away.

Yari said the flood was caused by the overflow of a nearby stream due to the collapse of a culvert.

“Unless a bridge is built in the area, the problem which had been recurring since 2008, will continue. So I am appealing to the state government to construct the bridge as well as come to the aid of the victims who had lost all their means of livelihood.” Yari said.