A heartbreaking tragedy has thrown a community in Adamawa State into mourning after six children from the same extended family were killed by a lightning strike while trying to escape a heavy rainstorm.
The tragic incident happened on Sunday afternoon in Dadiri-Tirgali village, Garum District of Ganye Local Government Area.
The victims had reportedly gone to harvest groundnuts before the weather suddenly changed, forcing them to seek shelter beneath a nearby tree.
According to reports, the incident occurred at about 4 p.m. when a heavy downpour began unexpectedly across the farming community.
The children were said to have gathered under a tree while waiting for the rain to stop.
However, moments later, lightning struck the tree, killing six of them instantly.
Four other relatives who were also under the tree survived but suffered different degrees of injuries.
The victims were identified as Abdulrahman Musa, 7; Aliyu Sule Maunde, 10; Jaafar Sule Maunde, 10; Bilkisu Jibrin Maunde, 20; Musa Ahmadu, 9; and Auwalu Nuhu, 11.
Those injured include Nasiru Abubakar, 7; Rilwanu Ahmadu, 9; Sa’adatu Isa, 35; and her one-year-three-month-old daughter, Hasiya Isa.
They were rushed to the General Hospital in Ganye, where they are receiving treatment.
One of the grieving fathers, Musa Maude, said the children had gone to the family farm earlier that day to harvest groundnuts before the weather changed.
Speaking about the painful loss, he recalled the frightening moments leading to the tragedy.
“I sent them to the farm that afternoon. While they were harvesting, the rain started falling heavily,” he said.
He explained that panic spread through the community after one of the survivors managed to alert family members.
“When we got there, we found eight of them lying under the tree. Sadly, the doctors confirmed that six of the children had died.”
Another bereaved father, Suleiman Maude, described the loss of his two sons as one of the most painful moments of his life.
According to him, he had returned home from work due to the rain, only to receive devastating news shortly afterward.
Meanwhile, survivor Sa’adatu Isa recounted the terrifying experience that changed their lives within seconds.
She said she had encouraged everyone to remain under the tree and share the only umbrella available.
“We were just talking and waiting for the rain to stop when suddenly there was a loud sound. After that, I remembered nothing.”
Therefore, safety agencies usually advise people to seek shelter inside buildings or enclosed vehicles whenever thunderstorms begin.
Meanwhile, family members, neighbours, and community leaders have continued to mourn the victims.
The six children were buried on Monday morning in accordance with Islamic rites after their bodies were released to their families from the hospital.
