By Praise Chinecherem
Residents of Nodu Community in Awka South local government area of Anambra State are still in shock over the death of three students of Tansian International College, Nodu.
The deceased were said to have been struck by lightning while playing football with their peers on the school’s pitch barefooted preparatory to a football tournament.
Six of students were said to have sustained injury in the ugly incident.
While most football fields in the area were reportedly being dreaded, traditional and religious bodies were said to have commenced spiritual inquest into the cause of the thunder storm .
A resident who identified himself as Ichie Nwaogu told reporters that the community had not recorded such incident, adding that thunder storm only comes to settle issues or punish people.
“We are trying to find out what happened in our own way and in a traditional way because the people are still in shock over what happened” he said.
Meanwhile, Sports Writers Association in the state has commiserated with the families of the three students struck to death by thunder storm last Saturday.
According to a release signed by the Chairman, Patrick Anaso and Assistant Secretary Uche Ndeke, the body described the incident as huge and irreparable loss to the deceased parents, Tansian College, the society and the sports community.
The statement reads in part, “We, members of the above named body, wish to convey our deep condolences to parents, management and staff of Tansian International College, Nodu, Awka South Local Government Area over the lightning strike accident of Saturday, Nov. 5.
“The lightning which hit the football of the school while students were playing touched nine of them and left three of them dead.
“This is indeed a huge and irreparable loss to the parents of the deceased, Tansian College, the society and the sports community in particular.
“As the body of sports journalists in Anambra, we are deeply saddened because we are aware of the positive role Tansian College has played in the development of sports in Anambra State by making its pitch available for sporting activities.
“We are appreciate that this particular football pitch was one of the venues of Anambra Independent Football League, the biggest independently run football league as well as other competitions”
“SWAN condoles with Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Bishop of the Catholic Bishop of Awka, owners of the College for the tragic loss.”
