Natural Disaster snatched a Life
RESIDENTS of Sheda community in Kwali Area Council were last Thursday thrown in to pandemonium when a 20-year-old man, John Yerima, was killed by lightning.
A witness, Emeka Kabaku, said the incident happened around 5:23 pm when the thunder struck during a light rain after the deceased left home to weed his Cassava farm located few meters from his home.
According to the witness, the deceased left home with three neighbors’ to farm but failed to return on time.
“After the family members waited and did not see him, we now mobilized ourselves that evening to search for him and his body was discovered in the farm with his short knickers torn,” the witness said.
He explained that when the deceased was found dead, the search team returned home to inform his father, who then joined them to carry his corpse and he was buried on Saturday morning.
Our reporter learnt that the thunder strike also pulled down some trees and buildings at the village, as electric appliances were also destroyed.
When contacted, the Kwali Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mallam Usman Umar, said the incident was not reported to the station and so was not aware of it.
Meanwhile, the Kwali Council’s chairman, Mr. Joseph K. Shazin, yesterday expressed shock and sadness over the death of the 20 year-old John Yerima.
The council boss, who was speaking when he led members of his cabinet on a condolence visit to the family of the deceased, urged the family to bear the loss in good faith.
He described the late Yerima John as a hardworking and committed member of ANPP who campaigned vigorously for him during the last council elections.
The chairman assured the family of the deceased that his administration would continue to assist them and prayed for the soul of the deceased.
Daily Trust Wednesday, October, 20th 2010,
Page 47
By Abubakar Sadiq Isah
