Mixed blessings trailed the first rainfall this year in Lokoja as storm uprooted a tree, injuring a commercial motorcyclist and his passenger.

Newsmen report that the rain, which fell on Saturday, started around 6pm and lasted for 30 minutes. The tree fell on the two persons by the roadside at Hydro Junction area of the town.

They were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, where doctors battled to save their lives.


Apart from injuring people, the tree trunk also fell across the dualised Ibrahim Babangida Way in the city, creating traffic gridlock on the road.

Newsmen report that residents, who had been under intense heat wave for months, however expressed joy and relief over and prayed that the rainfall signaled good things to come during the year.