By Umar Abubakar Ladan,
Severe thunderstorms with lightning are becoming a deadly threat to rural communities in Jigawa State, northern Nigeria.On *June 22, 2026 at about 6:15 p.m, a heavy rainstorm with thunder and lightning struck Gongo Village in Limawa Ward, roughly 5km east of Dutse, the state capital.
The incident claimed the life of Iliya Alhaji Sabo, 30, a married man with one wife and three children. Two other children, Salim Murtala, 9, and Hassan Adamu, 5, were injured.
An eyewitness and cousin of the deceased, Malam Adamu Mu’azu also known as Adamu Dan Yaya, narrated what happened. “I was inside when I heard children shouting.
I came out while the rain and lightning were still on. I met Iliya on the ground after being struck. The two children were also hurt,” he said.
They rushed all three to Dutse General Hospital, but doctors confirmed Iliya had died on arrival.
Village Lives in Constant DangerThe Village Head of Gongo, Malam Yusufu Alhaji Ali, said lightning hits the community almost every year.
“Sometimes it strikes twice in a year. To our west it killed a locust bean tree, to the east it destroyed a date palm,” he said.He appealed to government and relevant agencies for urgent help.
“If there is anything that can be done to help us, we beg you to come to our aid,” he said.Safety Experts Advise Precautions.
Speaking on ways to reduce lightning deaths, Dr. Babagana Abubakar of the African Centres for Lightning Education Network, ACLEnet, said the organization works to reduce deaths, injuries and damage across Africa.He listed key safety measures: – Avoid sheltering under trees during storms – Stay away from rivers, ponds and metal objects – If outdoors with no shelter, crouch low with feet together and head tucked in.
Don’t lie flat – Indoors, avoid taps, showers, corded phones and plugged appliances – Stay away from windows, doors and concrete walls – Install certified lightning protection and surge devices for homes
Dr. Abubakar said ACLEnet also helps by installing affordable lightning rods in schools, running public awareness campaigns, training engineers on IEC 62305 standards, and working with governments on national lightning safety policies.
Damage Spreads to Other Villages Residents say Gongo is not alone. In Galadanci, 1-2km away, lightning destroyed a woman’s grinding machine. In Tagwaye, about 3km away, livestock were killed by lightning in 2024.
Community members say the repeated incidents prove the need for more awareness, better protection systems, and government intervention to prevent further loss of lives and property.
