Panic has gripped residents of Obidi in Agwa, Oguta LGA of Imo State following a bizarre thunderstorm that killed three people and left four others severely injured on Tuesday, April 9, 2025. What appeared to be a light rainfall turned fatal when a thunderbolt struck a giant tree under which several villagers had gathered for shade.
Elders and eyewitnesses in the quiet community described the incident as both tragic and unusual. Unlike regular thunderstorms, this one came with minimal rainfall but carried a violent impact that left the victims sprawled beneath the tree, their bodies lifeless before help could arrive. The injured were quickly rushed to a nearby hospital, where they are currently battling for survival.
Village elder Nze Ike, who confirmed the development, said the tree has long served as a meeting spot for locals. He revealed that the thunderstrike hit the tree directly, sending a shockwave that affected everyone sitting or standing nearby. “Three died instantly. As I speak, four others are still in critical condition in the hospital,” he said, adding that the village had never witnessed such devastation in decades.
The incident has reignited talks of ancestral wrath, especially as the community is still haunted by the 2021 controversy surrounding the alleged death of their traditional ruler under suspicious circumstances. Some locals now fear the tragedy may be a spiritual repercussion, as superstitious whispers grow louder in the wake of the deaths.
Parents have begun warning their children against traveling to the village for now, and many say they won’t step foot in Obidi until traditional cleansing rites are performed. The entire community is said to be in mourning, with market activities temporarily suspended and communal meetings cancelled.
Community leader Collins Ughalla described the tragedy as a painful flashback to the 1980s, the last time something similar happened. “We’re still in shock. This has shaken us to the core. It’s not just a weather event; it’s a spiritual wake-up call,” he said. “May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
Attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in Imo, ASP Henry Okoye, were unsuccessful as his phone line remained unreachable. As investigations continue, calls have gone out to both the state government and meteorological agencies to further probe the rare atmospheric occurrence and offer support to the grieving community.
