Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State

Richard Elesho/ Lokoja

Residents of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital welcomed the first rainfall of the year with mixed feelings today. The rain which started suddenly at about Six P.M this evening was accompanied by a heavy storm. It lasted for about 30 minutes.

The storm which swept round the length and breadth of the state capital uprooted a tree at Hydro junction, injuring a commercial motorcyclist and his passenger.

As the storm raged, it eventually uprooted a tree which fell across the road, distrusting traffic at the popular IBB Way, the city’s Main Street.

The tree fell on two passersby and badly wounded both. They were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, in the city by good Samaritans, where doctors battled to save their lives.

Most residents of the Confluence City were however happy and expressed the hope that the rain will usher in better weather conditions and agricultural yields. With its epileptic power supply, the city had been under intense heat waves since the beginning of the year.

In Otokiti/ Barracks part of the city, children were seen singing and playing heartily in the rain.