Approximately eight individuals have been electrocuted in the Rice mill vicinity of Wadata in Makurdi, the capital of Benue state.
It was reported that the occurrence took place in the early hours of Thursday (February 24, 2022).
An eyewitness stated that the transformer providing electricity to the area malfunctioned on Thursday morning, resulting in the electrocution.
This incident follows merely a week after the transformer claimed one life in the neighborhood.
A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, attributed the unfortunate event to negligence by the Jos Electrical Distribution Company (JEDC), Benue distribution center.
“Recall that last week Monday, on February 14, 2022, the transformer took the life of the only surviving son of a certain family in the community. In spite of this event, JEDC did not resolve the issue leading to the deaths of eight individuals this morning,” he stated.
“The power transmission authority must urgently address the matter with all expediency to prevent further loss of lives and property,” he added.
When reached for comments, the spokesperson for the Jos Electrical Distribution Company (JEDC), Dr. Adakole Elijah, mentioned that he could not comment at the moment, stating that the incident is still under investigation.
“I am just hearing about it.
I cannot provide any remarks on the matter now until I acquire the details. Once I have the information, I will issue a press statement to that effect,” he noted.
However, a well-placed source within the company, who requested anonymity as he was not permitted to speak to the media, indicated that the incident resulted from illegal connections by the community.
“Currently, they say the atmosphere is tense. No one can access the area. Our team also cannot go there to determine what transpired. However, what the locals are claiming is not accurate. What our staff (JED) are stating is quite different.
“They (JED) are asserting that the community was disconnected yesterday and the residents went there to reconnect themselves,” the source conveyed to our correspondent via telephone.
