>
By Emmanuel Adeleke
Three male students of a private secondary school (name withheld) in Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, have been killed while playing football on the school field.
It was gathered that the incident happened on Saturday evening during rainfall which was accompanied by breeze and lightning.
It was learnt that the students were practicing on the school’s pitch in preparation for a football competition before the lightning started.
According to reports about nine students were struck by the lightning. Six of them were resuscitated later at the school’s clinic where they were first rushed to.
“The boys were practicing on the football pitch with their coach in preparation for a football tournament.
“The coach had ended the practice session before the rains started, but some of the students stayed behind to continue playing football.
“Lightning, accompanied by claps of thunderstorms suddenly enveloped the area and the boys were struck in the process,” an eyewitness was quoted to have said.