According to The Nation, as many as 12 cows have been struck dead by lightning in Urhodo-Ovu community of Ethiope East council area of Delta State.

A source said some herders were grazing their animals on a farmland when the lightning struck.

The frightened herders reportedly took to their heels when the lightning struck but later returned, the source said.

The Nation also learnt that the cows’ stomachs swelled up as they died.

The incident happened after a brief rain.

Many villagers came to the scene to see the dead cows.

Farm owners in the area reportedly had a protracted faceoff with the herders, warning them to stop grazing their cattle on the farmlands.

The Nation was told that the herders did not heed the warning.

Some of the villagers who came to see the dead animals said they heard of similar lightning incidents in other places.