Thunder Strikes, Kills Priest In Benue

Tragedy has befallen the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jootar, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State with reports that the Parish Priest, Rev. Faustinus Gundu, has been allegedly killed by a thunder strike in the area.

According to reports on the Facebook post of a social media influencer, known as Mbee, and several others, the incident was said to have occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Jootar though details were still sketchy as of the time of writing the post.

Popularly known as Fr. Albino, the Clergyman was reported to have suffered a likely heart attack after a thunderstorm in the area as he rushed out to pick up a towel outside his residence when it started raining. The posts further indicated that he fell in the process and remained motionless in the rain until he was discovered by servants who rushed him to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead.

At the time of reporting the incident, no official statement had been made by the Catholic Church in Benue state, even as no official was willing to volunteer any information on the issue.

The Benue Police Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Catherine Anene, who was contacted to confirm the incident, said; “I received the report about the alleged thunder strike. It is until we investigate before that would be ascertained conclusively.” – With agency reports