Lightning enters herbalist’s apartment, strikes him dead

Adewumi Ademiju, Ado-Ekiti

An herbalist has been struck dead by lightening at Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday evening, threw the community into mourning.

The herbalist, Babatunde Sule, was a worker of Ekiti State House of Assembly Commission. He was struck to death in his apartment at Oke-Oja area of the town.

A source said: “The incident occurred shortly after a heavy downpour. The downpour lasted for about two hours. The herbalist until his death was a notable traditionalist and a chieftain of the traditional worshippers association in the community.”

Recalling the event of Sule’s death, the source further noted: “On that fateful day, the rain, which started at about 4:30pm, came with lightning and thunder. It was so much that people panicked and remained indoors. Suddenly, there was another massive lightning strike, it entered the deceased's home and struck him in the chest, where he was cooking in the kitchen.

“A neighbour, who was worried after witnessing the lightening, ran into the herbalist’s kitchen and found his corpse. The incident shocked everyone. Sule was a notable person in the town. Immediately the news filtered into town, an attempt was made to contact some Sango Worshippers. The matter was also reported at the nearest police station.

"The traditional rites had begun and it will last for seven days. The rites are expected to be accompanied by heavy downpour. This type of incident has never happened in this town, which was why everyone panicked.”

As at the time of filing this report, Sule’s body has been removed from the scene for burial, while traditional worshippers have begun traditional rites.

When our correspondent called the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Caleb Ikechukwu, to find out if the case had been reported, he did not pick his calls.