From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
A 15 year old Emmanuel, student of Benue State University Technical College has been electrocuted to death in Makurdi, Benue State capital.
The incident happened in Achussa, a suburb in the State capital.
Narrating how the incident happened, uncle to the deceased Samuel Olokpo said on the morning of 19th April, 2021, officals of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN came to the house when everyone had gone to work and disconnected electric lines belonging to four households.
He said two(2) of the neighbors quickly brought out their bills and were immediately reconnected.
“In the afternoon, one Emeka, a boy of 5 years was playing and mistakenly stepped on the wire and it shocked him. So, my niece decided to roll up the wires to avert any further danger and in the process, he 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 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 in a technical college
Grand mother 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 his 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 the illegal and obnoxious practice by the Jos Electricity distribution company.
He narated how on several occasions the company will negligently leave live wire after disconnecting it.
“I was very lucky on getting home to discover my kids playing very close to a live wire disconnected by JED in my compound. I called them to remove it but they refuse to come for several hours and eventually when they did it was discovered it had power on it
He also disclosed that JED has been cheating the people of Achussa over bills, maintaining that in a situation where power supply is absent for three weeks yet JED will send a full month estimated bill amounts to cheating.
