It was a bad day for some Fulani herdsmen at Apala farm in Iba community, Ifelodun Area Office, Osun State as lightning reportedly killed seventeen of their cows.
The incident was confirmed by the Eburu of Iba, Oba Adekunle Okunoye, the traditional ruler of Iba.
Newsafresh.com gathered that the event occurred around 6pm on Friday at Gaa Eleesun community.
The leader of the Fulani community in the area, Jimoh Bala, however said the incident was a natural occurrence.
“The people of Iba have over the years been living harmoniously with Fulani natives living in our domain and this will not cause any disaffection.
“The death of the cows belonging to the Fulani cattle rearers living among us was a natural occurrence occasioned by a thunder that struck in the town. The community in collaboration with the leadership of the Fulani community are on top of the situation.
“The Eburu-in-Council has directed the owners of the cows to burn them to avoid epidemic in the town, he said.
However, the leader of Gaa Eleesun community, Chief Jimoh Soliu, lamented the loss of the animals.
According to him, ” We had just returned from pasturing when thunder started striking. We ran into the houses leaving our cows outside. But to our shock, we found 17 cows and two sheep dead outside.
“This is devastating for us because since we have been staying in this community, this strange occurrence has never happened.”