Eight cows were reportedly killed on Thursday by lightning on a mountain in Oyinmo Quarter, Ikare Akoko, headquarters of Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The incident happened barely a month after 36 cows were killed by lightning in Ijare town in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the cows, owned by some herdsmen, were struck dead while grazing on top of the mountain.

However, a source said that five men have been arrested by the police for buying the dead cows from the herders.

“Immediately after the cows were struck dead, the two herdsmen that were with the cows, rushed to the butchers in town and sold the cows to them at cheaper prices. But the police got to know of it and arrested all of them,” the source said.

Police spokesman Femi Joseph said investigation had begun.

He said: “It was the environmental officers who discovered that the Fulani boys were selling the contaminated cows to the butchers and reported to us. Four butchers and one herder have been arrested over the matter. We will sue them to court after investigation.”

State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) Alhaji Garuba Bello said he had not been briefed about the development.

“I have been calling the chairman in Ikare Akoko to know what happened, but his line was not reachable,” he said.

•Text (excluding headline) courtesy of The Nation.

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