A severe rainstorm hit Sango-Ota in Ogun State on Sunday, causing power outages in more than 40 communities. The storm brought down electric poles and cables, resulting in traffic disruptions along the Sango-Ota highway in the afternoon.
Confirming the incident, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) issued a public notice, urging residents to avoid contact with the damaged poles and cables.
In the notice, IBEDC stated, “Due to broken poles caused by the heavy rainfall at Ota and Mowe, customers in the following communities are experiencing power outages: [list of affected communities].”
Residents were advised not to attempt any repairs on the electrical installations and to report any incidents promptly. IBEDC assured that its technical team was working to replace the damaged poles and cables to restore the power supply.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience,” IBEDC expressed in its notice.
A video captured the aftermath of the storm, showing utility poles fallen on vehicles, including a school bus, cars, trucks, and a tricycle. Residents voiced concerns about enduring prolonged power outages while expressing relief that there were no casualties.
Although residents had previously complained about low power supply since January 2024, the recent storm exacerbated the situation, potentially prolonging the repair process.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure to natural disasters and emphasizes the importance of timely repairs to restore essential services to affected communities.