Referee struck dead by lightning in Niger
A football referee, identified as Mustapha Bello, has reportedly died after he was struck by lightning during a match played in the community’s primary and secondary schools’ field in Madalla town, Niger State.
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Bello’s death was disclosed by a Facebook user, Awwal Yarima who shared the news on his page with the caption, “lnnalillahi wa innan ilaihi rain!!! . We lost one of us in Referees in Suleja Also my Coach in Referees. Mallam Mustapha Bello Grade one referee. May his soul rest in Jannatul Firdausi. Ameen.”
An eyewitness, Muhammed Musa, who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust on Wednesday, said the match in which Suleja and Madalla youths participated, was on a halftime break around 5:20pm when the incident happened.
“It was raining and all the footballers along with their fans were taking refuge inside the school’s classrooms. The referee along with his assistant (lineman) rushed back to the field, demanding the players to join them,” Musa said.
