Lightning Strike Kills 32 Cows in Ogun, Causing Over N50 Million Loss

Advertisements

A devastating thunderstorm with intense lightning claimed the lives of 32 cows in the Osara community, Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, resulting in an estimated loss exceeding N50 million. The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident on Sunday after two herders, who jointly owned the livestock, reported the tragedy.

According to Police Spokesperson Omolola Odutola, the herders discovered the lifeless cows in a nearby forest shortly after heavy rainfall on Friday. “They reported at the Aregbe Divisional Headquarters that 32 of their cows were found dead following a severe rainstorm around 4:40 p.m.,” Odutola stated.

Preliminary investigations revealed no injuries on the animals, with the cows found dead in various positions, suggesting a lightning strike as the likely cause. Odutola emphasized that the herders made no allegations against anyone, and authorities are treating the incident as a natural disaster.

Odeda Local Government Chairman Folashade Adeyemo, who visited the scene, described the event as tragic and unprecedented. She told *PLATFORM TIMES* that the estimated value of the lost livestock ranged between N45 million and N50 million. “Most of the cows were mature, ready for sale, and some were pregnant. This is a massive economic blow to the owners and the community,” she said.

Adeyemo warned against consuming the carcasses, citing health risks, and assured that the herders had pledged not to sell the meat. Health officials are monitoring the situation to prevent the dead cows from entering the food chain.

The local government has submitted a formal report to the Ogun State Government, hoping for possible compensation for the herders. Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Lanre Bankole urged calm, reiterating that evidence points to a natural disaster and discouraging speculation.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts