Tragic as Thunderstorm strikes Niger State referee to death in friendly match

By Wale Mustapha

The Nigeria Football Referees Association was thrown into mourning mood on Wednesday with the tragic news of the death of one of their members, Mustapha Ibrahim who was struck to death by thunderstorm on Tuesday.

Ibrahim, a Grade One referee from Niger State Referees Council was reported to have died while handling a friendly football match between Madalla and Suleja at the Community School football pitch in Madalla.

According to an eyewitness report, the football game was ruined by thunder and lightning due to long period heavy rain.

It was gathered that the friendly match was on half-time break around 5:20 pm when Ibrahim was struck to death by thunder.

“It was raining, and all the footballers along with their fans were taken refuge inside the school’s classrooms,” an eye witness said.

“The referee along with his assistant (linemen), rushed back to the field, demanding the players to join them.

“They were only at the centre of the pitch when the thunder struck. Two of them were rushed to a hospital, where the referee was confirmed dead on arrival while his assistant was revived.”

A family member of the deceased said he has been buried Wednesday morning in Suleja town where he lived according to Islamic injunction.