A Police Inspector has been killed by a thunderstrike while on active duty in Borno State, the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed.
The tragic incident occurred during a heavy downpour accompanied by thunderstorms, which struck parts of the state on Thursday evening.
Sources said the officer, whose identity was yet to be officially disclosed at the time of filing this report, was carrying out routine security duties when he was hit by lightning.
The Borno State Police Command, in a preliminary statement, described the incident as unfortunate and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the officer.
A spokesperson of the command said the deceased officer died instantly at the scene as a result of the impact of the thunderstrike.
“The command regrets to announce the untimely death of one of our personnel who was struck by lightning while on duty. This is a painful loss to the force and the nation,” the spokesperson said.
The command added that arrangements were underway to notify the family of the deceased and to accord him full honours in line with police tradition.
Eyewitnesses in the area reported that the rainfall was intense, with loud claps of thunder and flashes of lightning, which caused panic among residents.
Some residents said the incident had heightened concerns over safety during extreme weather conditions, especially for personnel working outdoors.
Meteorological experts have often advised individuals to seek shelter during thunderstorms and avoid open spaces or standing under tall objects such as trees or poles.
Meanwhile, the police command urged officers and members of the public to exercise caution during severe weather conditions to prevent similar occurrences.
The remains of the deceased have reportedly been evacuated and deposited at a nearby medical facility.
