Thunderstorm kills herbalist in Ekiti

A herbalist has been reportedly struck to death by thunderstorm at Aramoko-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

According to The Nation, the incident took place on Sunday during a heavy downpour at his rented apartment located in Oke-Oja area of the town.

A community source, who craved anonymity, identified the victim as Babatunde Sule. He was said to be a staff of Ekiti State House of Assembly Commission. 

It was gathered the rain, which started at about 4:30pm accompanied with heavy thunder storm at frequent interval, caused panic in the town.

The late Sule until his untimely death was a renowned traditionalist and chieftain of a traditional worshippers’ association in the community. It was learnt the torrential downpour had forced everybody indoors which deafening thunder spark, which was reported to have entered the deceased’s home and struck him in the chest right where he was cooking in the kitchen.

A close source, who lives within the same compound with the deceased, said he saw the herbalist’s lifeless body on the kitchen floor.

The source said: “The unfortunate incident took everybody in the town by surprise, because the victim was a notable person in the town and immediately the news filtered into town, an attempt was made to contact some ‘Sango’ worshippers and as well reported the matter to a divisional police station in the town.

"The traditional rites over the unfortunate incident have begun and it will last for seven days in the community, which is expected to be accompanied by the downpour. This type of incident has never happened in this town and that is why we are panicking.”