A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday evening in the Mowe area of Ogun State, where a mother of two, Ujunwa Okechukwuma, was electrocuted. Her two children, identified as Louis and Onyinyechi, are currently hospitalized and fighting for their lives after being exposed to a spark at an electric transformer situated inside a local market.
While initial reports from some community members suggested that three individuals, including a pregnant woman, had lost their lives, the state police command clarified that only Okechukwuma was electrocuted, while five others, including her two children, sustained injuries.
Additional victims of the electrical incident include Shuaib Saheed, Zainab Babatunde, and Okiki Azeez, all of whom suffered varying degrees of injury due to the spark at the transformer.
Residents disclosed that officials from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) had previously warned shop owners about electric cables that had fallen onto the rooftops of some shops following a recent rainstorm. These cables were near an electric pole. Despite the warning, power was restored to the area shortly after the IBEDC officials left, leading to the tragic spark incident.
Eyewitnesses, including Mrs. Aina Oloponda and Mrs. Akinremi Bisi, expressed shock and dismay at the sequence of events. They recounted how IBEDC officials had advised shop owners to keep their wares away from electric poles and had warned of the dangers associated with placing iron roofs beneath the poles. However, despite these warnings, the tragic accident occurred, resulting in loss of life and injuries.
The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of heeding safety precautions and implementing effective measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.