Six Children Die After Lightning Strikes Tree During Heavy Rain in Adamawa
Six children have lost their lives after a thunderstorm struck a tree where they had taken shelter from heavy rain while harvesting groundnuts in Dadiri-Tirgali village, Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The children, who were working on a family farm on Sunday afternoon, reportedly ran under a tree when the rain intensified. Moments later, lightning struck, killing six of them instantly and injuring four others, including a one-year-old child and an adult caregiver.
The tragedy has left families and the wider community in mourning, with residents describing it as one of the worst lightning-related incidents to affect the area in recent years. The children were buried on Monday according to Islamic rites, while two of the injured remain in hospital receiving treatment.
Chairman of Ganye Local Government Area, Daniel Kamsobbi, expressed condolences to the bereaved families and said authorities had directed security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident to guide future public safety awareness.
Child safety advocates say the incident highlights the need for greater education on weather-related risks, especially for children in farming communities. Experts advise families to avoid taking shelter under trees during thunderstorms and instead seek protection inside sturdy buildings whenever possible.
The tragedy underscores the importance of equipping children and caregivers with life-saving knowledge about staying safe during severe weather.
