By Daniel Agbesi Latsu
Kadjebi (O/R), March 23, GNA – A 25-year-old mason apprentice, Joseph Aborbor, has been killed by a lightning struck during a rainstorm at Kadjebi in the Oti Region.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, March 21, at Kassadjan, a suburb of Kadjebi, when a heavy downpour accompanied by thunderstorms hit the area.
According to eyewitness accounts, the deceased was in his room at the time of the incident and was reportedly making a phone call when lightning struck.
Aborbor died instantly.
A source, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on condition of anonymity, said residents were left shocked and devastated by the sudden death.
“The rain started heavily with strong thunder and lightning. He was in his room making a call when the lightning struck. We were all confused and frightened,” the source said.
The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Jasikan Municipal Hospital for preservation and further investigations.
Another source who spoke on condition of anonymity indicated that the death may be linked to a missing motorbike.
According to the source, the owner of the motorbike reportedly consulted Zakadza and subsequently made a public announcement via the Kadjebi Information Centre, calling on whoever had taken the motorbike to return it by Saturday, March 21.
The source added that the deceased was suspected of having taken the motorbike; a development believed to have led to the fatal outcome.
Zakadza, revered in the Volta and Oti Regions as well as in Togo and the Benin Republic, is traditionally believed to possess the power to strike wrongdoers dead with thunder when invoked through specific rituals by those who feel wronged.
The incident has reignited conversations around the intersection of traditional beliefs and natural phenomena in rural communities, where spiritual explanations are often sought in cases of sudden or unexplained deaths.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade