by Anike Jacobs

Globally it has been estimated that 24,000 people are killed by lightning strikes each year and in Nigeria alone this year, we have had peculiar cases of  a 15 year old boy, a pregnant woman and travellers that were killed by Lightning at different times.

Three teenagers, Sunday Mulero, 13, Dare Olaifa,15 and Sodiq Segun, 15, lost their lives yesterday, at Ijale Ijaka Street in Ijoun, Ayetoro area of Ogun state when Lightning struck them  during a heavy rainfall. The victims were confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital.

Spokesman for the police in Ogun State, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed their deaths revealed that the young boys were “playing “outside their house when the thunder struck and killed them instantly.

“The Commissioner of Police Ogun State CP Ikemefuna Okoye also confirmed the report, and described the incident as unfortunate.

He further sympathized with the families of the deceased and prayed for God’s mercies and protection over other members of the affected families.

Lightning strikes can produce severe injuries, and have a mortality rate of between 10% and 30%, with up to 80% of survivors sustaining long-term injuries.

It had been found that the best way to prevent lightning strikes is to stay away from trees during heavy trains, avoid telephones or headphones during heavy rains as there could be some form of electrical interference or reflective objects such as mirror.