…13 hospitalised As Gov Orders Probe
A devastating power surge in Gombe State has claimed the lives of five people, including a serving Permanent Secretary, while 13 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the early hours of Saturday.
The incident, which occurred in the Tudun Wada Pantami area of Gombe metropolis, was reportedly triggered by a high-voltage electricity surge from a nearby transformer.
Among the deceased was Alhaji Muhammad Yusuf Kulani, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Special Duties and Regional Integration.
Eyewitnesses said he was electrocuted while attempting to open his house gate when the current surged through the metallic structure. His daughter, who was with him at the time, survived but is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
The tragic event plunged the community into mourning, with residents describing the early morning chaos as “like a horror scene.”
The Gombe State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, confirmed the incident and said officers from the Low-cost Division were immediately deployed to the scene.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that five people died and 13 others sustained injuries due to a high-voltage surge from an electricity transformer. All the injured are currently receiving treatment in various health facilities across the state,” Abdullahi said.
He added that an in-depth investigation has been launched to ascertain the cause of the surge and ensure accountability.
In the wake of the tragedy, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya expressed profound grief, describing the incident as a “colossal loss” not only to the affected families but to the entire state.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the governor eulogised the late Kulani as a “diligent, disciplined and patriotic officer who served Gombe State with integrity and commitment.”
“This heart-wrenching incident, reportedly caused by a high-voltage surge, has plunged our state into mourning. The loss of such valuable lives, including other promising citizens, is a painful blow,” the governor said.
Governor Yahaya assured that the state government would collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure a thorough investigation into the root cause of the power surge and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.
The deceased have since been buried according to Islamic rites.
Residents of the affected area have called on the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) to urgently investigate and upgrade local infrastructure to forestall a recurrence.
Meanwhile, concerns are mounting over the safety of aging transformers and exposed power lines across the state, as electricity-related fatalities continue to pose a threat in many urban and semi-urban communities.
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