A student of Benue State University Technical College simply identified as Emmanuel, has been electrocuted in Makurdi, Benue State capital. He died before help could reach him.
The incident happened in Achussa, a suburb of the state capital.
Narrating how the incident occurred, an uncle to the deceased, Samuel Olokpo said on the morning of April, 19, 2021, officals of Power Holding Company of Nigeria,( PHCN), came to the house after everyone had gone to work and disconnected electric lines belonging to four households.
He said two of the neighbors who were at home as at that time, quickly brought out their bills and were immediately reconnected.
He added that In the afternoon, one Emeka, a boy of five years was playing and mistakenly stepped on the wire and it shocked him.
Olokpo said Emmanuel aged 15, decided to roll up the wires to avert any further danger and in the process, was electrocuted.
“Hitherto, one of our neighbors Mr. Jonathan Adi, said his wife told him that electrical appliances in the house were still functioning despite the disconnection.
“We rushed him to Ushakaa hospital Makurdi where he was pronounced dead and later deposited his body at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, (BSUTH). PHCN staff came to the house to condole us. Meanwhile, we have notified our lawyers. He was a cool, quiet-headed boy who was gifted in the art of handcraft (he used to make shoes)that is why we enrolled him in a technical college.
Grandmother of the deceased who raised him from infancy, Mrs. Veronica Odo, a staff of Benue State Hospital Management Board wept uncontrollably, lamenting that the negligence of PHCN has cut short the life of her grandson.
“Can his memory ever wipe up from my mind. He promised to buy me a car. My only grandson”, she said amidst sobs.
Meanwhile, another resident of Achussa, Mr. Ejembi Oloja, complained bitterly about alleged illegal and obnoxious practices by the Jos Electricity Distribution Company.
He narrated how on several occasions the company will negligently leave live wire lying carelessly after disconnecting it.
“I was very lucky on getting home to discover my kids playing very close to a live wire disconnected by JEDC in my compound. I called them to remove it but they refused to come for several hours and eventually when they did, it was discovered it had power on it”.
He also alleged that JEDC has been cheating the people of Achussa over bills, maintaining that in a situation where power supply is absent for three weeks, JEDC will send a full month estimated bill which amounts to cheating.
“In my area at the media village, we bought transformers on two different occasions. We also, provided the poles and wires yet JEDC will charge us heavily without compensation” Ejembi lamented.
When contacted, the new Business Manager JEDC Makurdi District Mr Olaniyi Oluwale outrightly asked journalists out of his office.
