15 cows were on Saturday evening, struck to death by lightning at Ikogosi in Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
It was gathered that the cattle were killed at the Ikogosi Warm Spring site, popular tourism and recreational centre where warm and cold streams meet along Ipole-Ekiti.
The Asaoye of Ikogosi-Ekiti, Chief Ayo Ademilua, who confirmed the incident on Sunday, said the lightning occurred during a torrential downpour between 4 pm and 6:02 pm.
“The whole town shook when the thunderstruck. Later, some commuters coming into town and those returning home from their farms saw Fulani herders lamenting that it was the lightning that killed their cattle,” he said.
Also speaking about the incident, the Onikogosi of Ikogosi Ekiti, Oba Abiodun Olorunnisola, said the herders are trying to sell the dead cows to residents, adding that this portends health risk to his people.
The monarch said he had already reached out to his colleague at Ipole-Ekiti, Oba Oladele Babatola, on the need to warn their subjects against consuming such a desecrated meat.
“The two of us have alerted our subjects that there was an attempt to begin the sale of the cows and we are making efforts to prevent the intending buyers,” he said.
The traditional ruler called on the government to evacuate the carcasses to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Sunday Abutu said the incident was yet to be reported to the command because it was a natural occurrence.
“We have not been told, but if the owner of the cattle later realises that someone was responsible, he will report at the police station and we will surely rise to the occasion, if such happens,” he said.
