Lightning kills one, injures 3 in Ilorin
Daniel Ayantoye
The family of a final year student of the University of Ilorin was left in bewilderment after lightning struck and killed their son at Salem Model College, along Power line, Off Ita-Elepa area of Kwara State capital, last Thursday.
It was gathered by this medium last night that the deceased identified as David Orantunji was in the classroom when the lightning struck him and three others; one Joshua, Samuel and another unidentified boy, who all sustained severe injuries before being rushed to the hospital.
An anonymous source disclosed to this medium that while the other victims were placed on admission at Yusjib Hospital, Offa Garage area, David was outrightly rejected before being taken to the General Hospital, Ilorin, where he later gave up the ghost.
Speaking with National Pilot, one of the affected victims, Joshua said that he was in the classroom with his colleagues when they suddenly found themselves on the floor and he later discovered he had sustained an injury.
“We were in the classroom and later we found ourselves on the floor. When I got up, I found injuries on my lap and foot. Our teacher was also on the floor.”
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity when our correspondent visited the school, disclosed that the deceased was the first son of the proprietress, Mrs Orantunji, who always assists his mother in teaching students when on holiday.
According to him, the proprietress is highly appreciated in the neighbourhood as she encourages pupils to always come to school even if they failed to pay school fees.
“There is no reason such unfortunate incident should befall such a kind-hearted woman. Even if a child owes school fees for three consecutive terms, she will never ask such pupil to go home,” she lamented.
Lamenting the incident, the Chairman of Ita-Elepa community, Wahab Aniyikaye said, “That is what I was also told. I learnt that it was lightning that killed the boy who was preparing to go for his youth service soon.”
When contacted on the telephone, mother of the deceased and proprietress of the school, Mrs Orantunji declined comment on the issue.
“Okay, thank you but I don’t wish to say anything,” was all she could utter.
Recall that 10 am same day, lightning struck to death one Salami Adekunle, a 47-year-old staff of Registry department, College of Education, Oro in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.