A light evening rainfall in Obidi community, Agwa, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, turned tragic when a sudden thunderstorm claimed the lives of three residents and left four others critically injured.
Eyewitnesses say the lightning struck unexpectedly, despite the rain being mild and without warning signs of a major storm. The victims were said to have died on the spot, while the injured were rushed to nearby medical facilities for urgent treatment.
One resident, who described the event as unprecedented, said: “It was just a light drizzle, nothing unusual. But then we heard a loud crack, and in seconds, three people were lying lifeless. It was terrifying. Four others were seriously wounded and barely survived.”
The rare and deadly incident has thrown the entire community into mourning, with residents gripped by fear and confusion. Many have taken to spiritual and cultural interpretations, questioning why lightning would strike so violently under such calm weather conditions.
Local authorities are yet to issue an official statement, but community leaders are calling for prayers and are urging emergency response teams to investigate the incident further.
The tragedy has reignited concerns about changing weather patterns and the need for better awareness of lightning safety, especially in rural areas where such occurrences are often linked to superstitions.
