Lightning Bolt Killing Cows Not Unusual , Findings Reveal

The incident recorded at Ijare town, Ifedore Local Government area of Ondo state on Saturday night created social media buzz.  The lightning bolt incident also enjoyed special mention and prominence on the pages of newspapers. It centered on the  thirty six cows  that got struck dead by lightning bolt at the dreadful and sacred hill known as ‘Oke Owa’ which is located on the outskirts of the sleepy community. Was it mere coincidence? Was it a natural phenomenon? It was however what many would have readily described as anachronistic beliefs of the past if nothing had happened to those considered as trespassers by members of the community they must have reasoned. Many questions must have also exercised the minds of the people.    ‘There had been occasions like that but not as massive  as this .Talking about  some individuals who desecrated the land in the past we did witness such attack, when you desecrate any part of Ijare particularly the sacred places. The dead cows will be there for ever it is the tradition  in our land in order  for people to cite it as testimony in future that such things happen, a whole Oba was  buried there live and heaven did not fall talk less of ordinary cows. Oke-Owa is a sacred hill where the Oba and some of his chiefs visit yearly  during the new yam festival to offer sacrifices on behalf of the community. Even those chiefs accompanying the Oba must not go to the inner part of the hill because there is a particular place where only the Oba have to enter and spend a night. This is a hill that the herdsmen wanted to desecrate with their cattle. It is a taboo’ the Sapetu of Ijare , Chief Wemimo Olaniran who spoke on behalf of Olujare of Ijare, Oba Adebamigbe Oluwagbemigun  had stated. Team@orientmags.com however gathered that the incident was not unusual or strange as thousands of animals worldwide succumb to lightning injuries every year. Animals are said to be particularly vulnerable as they are usually placed outside when there is severe storm . Animals that have a large separation between their front and back legs (such as cattle) are also described as ones that are susceptible  to lightning strike injuries due to the dangerous potential differences that built up between their feets when  lightning bolt  strikes. There have been cases of such at Texas, Montana and other cities across the world.