Tragic Power Surge in Kaduna Claims Three Lives, Including Two Children
A devastating incident in Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna state, has left the community in mourning after a power surge electrocuted three individuals, including two minors, on Saturday, March 21. The tragedy unfolded when a high-tension cable reportedly fell onto lower-voltage lines that supply electricity to residential homes, causing a sudden and dangerous surge of power into the surrounding area.
Details of the Fatal Electrocutions
According to local residents, the victims were caught unaware by the surge. A two-year-old boy was electrocuted after touching a phone charger that was plugged into a socket at the moment power was restored. In a separate incident, a 10-year-old girl lost her life while attempting to adjust a cloth that was spread on an iron pole outside her home to dry. The third victim, identified as Rilwanu Musa, a driver, was electrocuted while ironing his clothes, highlighting the widespread impact of the electrical fault.
Community and Official Response
The secretary of the Kaura Local Government council, Haruja Pius, confirmed the heartbreaking event to newsmen, expressing deep sadness over the loss. He urged the bereaved families to accept the tragedy in good faith and conveyed the condolences of the council chairman, Sankyai Obadiah. Pius visited the families at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Manchok, where he offered words of comfort, stating, "This kind of loss is hard to bear. You are with your child, healthy and sound and the next minute he is gone. May God give you the strength to bear this immeasurable loss."
The incident has raised concerns about electrical safety in the region, with residents calling for improved infrastructure and maintenance to prevent such accidents in the future. Authorities are likely to investigate the cause of the cable failure to ensure accountability and enhance public safety measures.
