By Olusola Alatise

Residents of Ayo Camp at Oke-Oko community of Alade-Idanre have been thrown into shock and mourning, following the thunder that struck and killed a chainsaw operator in the area.

The victim simply identified as Shosho was struck by thunder when he was about cutting a tree.

The operator died on the spot, The Hope Metro gathered.

The tree, ‘Koleagbe’ was said to have been in existence for over 80 years behind the camp, while nobody had ever made attempt to cut it.

According to an eyewitness, there was no rain when the thunder struck.

The thunder’s lightening was said to have suddenly enveloped the community accompanied.

“It was like an electric spark and a heavy thunder shook the entire community.

“We were shocked and we could comprehend the mystery of the thunder strike. We know from the way the man was killed that it was not ordinary,” said the source.

The tree according to The Hope source was not an ordinary one.

The operator and his sponsor was said to have planned felling the tree without the consent of the owner.

As a result it took the intervention of Owa of Idanre, Oba Fredrick Aroloye, before the ‘Oloros’ could perform the burial rites of the deceased, a week after the incident.

Shosho who was from the eastern part of the country was buried at the spot of the disaster.

Speaking with The Hope Metro, Deputy Chairman of Ayo Camp, Oluwaseun Akinrinlade confirmed the incident.

However, a source  from the palace of Owa of Idanre said the death of the operator might be as a result of other factors like evil forces.

The palace source said there had been attempt to cut  the tree several times, without success.

According to him, the deceased had made  attempt to cut the tree once, but  his chainsaw got damaged.

Determined to achieve his aim, the operator was said to have attempted it again when  he met his untimely death.

In a related incident, the people of Ndegwu in Owerri West LGA of Imo State have been thrown into  mourning following the horrendous lightning that struck and allegedly killed two persons and injured four others on Monday evening during heavy rainfall.

The victims, Mr.Emeka Gerald Mbah, a 39-year-old from Umuejekaubi Umuahum Ndegwu, and his friend, Mr.Chigbumkpa Ernest Odionyenma, 36-year-old from Umuadi Umuogwuta in Ndegwu Community, died instantly when the thunder struck during heavy rain at about 5 pm.

Mr. Stanley Opara, an eyewitness, told newsmen that the deceased were both married with kids and until their sudden demise were members of the Assemblies of God Church at Ndegwu.

He said the two victims and four others were hired to work as laborers at a building site in Umuogwuta village in Ndegwu when lightning suddenly enveloped the community with the accompanying thunder.

He explained that those who survived were thrown away into the building’s foundation and were seriously injured.

“It was like an electric spark and a heavy thunderstorm that shook the entire community. People were screaming in front of the site and when we rushed out we saw two figures lying down,” he said.

Community sources, who pleaded anonymity, said that the incident attracted residents of the area and many others who gnashed their teeth in pain and wondered what informed the thunder strike during the heavy rainfall.

While the sad event had continued to raise concerns, especially the circumstances surrounding the death of the two persons and the injured ones, Mr. Kelechi Iwuagwu who spoke to our correspondent said, “We are shocked till now and we cannot comprehend the mystery of the thunder strike. We know from the way they were killed that it was not ordinary and for those who survived they must thank God for their lives.”