Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A 14‑year‑old student of Police Secondary School, Minna, has been killed after being struck by lightning while playing football with friends during a rainstorm in Lapai, the headquarters of Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.
The victim, Yahaya Ibrahim Tafida, was at the Government Girls’ Day Secondary School football field around 6 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, when the downpour began. According to Mohammed Musa, a resident who witnessed the incident, the rain was accompanied by strong winds that forced the players to abandon the game and seek shelter.
When the rain and windstorm started, they could not return home, so they hid under a tree. Suddenly, lightning struck, and the boy died on the spot, Musa told Daily Trust.
Family sources confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that Yahaya had run under the tree to escape the downpour when the lightning struck, killing him instantly.
The tragic incident has thrown the entire community into mourning. Residents expressed shock over the sudden death of the young student, who was described as a vibrant and promising teenager. His remains have been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said he was not aware of the incident. I will find out. I will get back to you, Abiodun told TheCable on Wednesday, June 10. His phone line could not be reached later for an update, according to Daily Trust.
Lightning strikes, though relatively uncommon, have in recent years claimed several lives during Nigeria’s rainy season. Meteorological experts and safety agencies, including the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), have repeatedly warned the public to stay indoors during heavy rainfall and to avoid taking shelter under trees or remaining in open fields when thunderstorms occur, as these actions significantly increase the risk of being struck by lightning.
Studies have estimated that lightning‑related fatalities in Nigeria may reach as high as 500 deaths per year, though experts note that data on such incidents is often underreported.
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