No fewer than 17 cows and two sheep have been killed by a thunderstorm in Iba, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun state.
The incident happened on Friday at Gaa Eleesun, a community mostly inhabited by Fulani herdsmen in Iba.
The thunderstorm, it was gathered, struck at around 6:00pm and left some residents of the community hospitalised due to the shock of the thunder.
It was gathered that the incident has caused panic among residents of the community.
Some of the locals revealed that the strange incident occurred when some Fulani herdsmen had already returned from pasturing.
Speaking on the development, the leader of Gaa Eleesun community, Chief Jimoh Soliu lamented the loss of the cows and sheep.
Soliu said, “we (Fulani herdsmen) had just returned from pasturing when thunder started striking. We ran into the houses leaving our cows outside. But to our shock, we found 17 cows and two sheep dead outside.
” This is devastating for us because since we have been staying in this community, this strange occurrence has never happened.”
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has sympathised with the affected Fulani herdsmen.
The governor, while on a solidarity visit to the area, assured the affected Fulani herdsmen of his support.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security, Abiodun Ajisefini, the governor commended the people of Iba on the exemplary way they have coexisted peacefully with the cattle traders of Fulani extraction in the community.
The governor said: “We are indeed sad about the unfortunate incident.
“Lightning is a natural phenomenon that we have no power or control over. The traders who suffered this loss are part of us, not strangers. They have lived here for decades and I commend them for their exemplary contributions to peace in Iba community.
“I want to assure them of my support and indeed government’s support at a time like this.”
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