A tragic lightning strike during a heavy rainstorm has claimed the lives of six children in Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State, leaving residents of Dadiri Village in shock and mourning.
The heartbreaking incident reportedly occurred on Saturday afternoon while several children were working on a groundnut farm in the community.
According to security reports cited by counter-insurgency and security analyst Zagazola Makama, the lightning struck at about 4:00 p.m. after hours of heavy rainfall in Dadiri Village. The children were said to be on a groundnut farm owned by a local farmer identified as Musa Maude when the incident happened.
The Chairman of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Ganye, Mallam Salau Iliya, reportedly alerted officers at the Ganye Police Station immediately after the tragedy.
Police officers led by the Divisional Police Officer swiftly responded to the scene, where nine children were found unconscious.
Authorities said three of the children later regained consciousness, while six others were rushed to the Cottage Hospital in Ganye. Medical personnel reportedly confirmed the six victims dead shortly after they arrived at the facility.
Victims Identified After Adamawa Lightning Tragedy
The children who lost their lives were identified as:
| Name | Age |
|---|---|
| Aliyu Suleiman | 10 years |
| Jafar Suleiman | 8 years |
| Abdurrahman Musa | 7 years |
| Bilkisu Jibrilla | 10 years |
| Musa Ahmadu | 9 years |
| Auwalu Nuhu | 11 years |
Three other children survived the lightning strike after regaining consciousness.
The bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Cottage Hospital mortuary in Ganye, while grieving families and residents gathered to mourn the sudden loss of the young victims.
Community Thrown Into Mourning
The incident has left Dadiri Village devastated, with many residents describing the tragedy as one of the most painful events to hit the community in recent times.
The deaths of the six children have sparked widespread grief among families and neighbours, especially as the incident occurred during a routine farming activity amid the rainstorm.
Police Launch Investigation Into Incident
Authorities have confirmed that the Adamawa State Criminal Investigation Department has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
While lightning-related deaths are rare, the tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers of remaining in open fields during severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
