Referee Killed By Lightning During a Football Match In Niger State
A referee identified as Mustapha Bello was killed after being struck by lightning during a friendly football match in Madalla town, Niger State, on Tuesday evening.
Bello, who was a member of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and popularly known as Mustafa Coach 02 among football fans, was officiating a match between Suleja and Madalla youths at the community’s primary and secondary schools’ field.
The match was on half-time break around 5:20 pm when it started raining and the players and spectators took refuge inside the classrooms.
However, Bello and his assistant referee (linesman) rushed back to the field and asked the players to join them.
They were only at the centre of the pitch when a thunderbolt hit them. They were taken to a nearby hospital, where Bello was pronounced dead on arrival while his assistant was revived.
Bello was buried on Wednesday morning in Suleja town where he resided.
His death has shocked and saddened the football community in Niger State and beyond.
The NFF has expressed its condolences to his family and friends, describing him as a dedicated and professional referee.
A Facebook user, Awwal Yarima, who mourned the deceased, wrote: “Innalillahi 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.”
