A mother, identified as Ujunwa Okechukwu, her son, and one other person have been electrocuted by a step-down transformer. The incident happened on Monday at Mowe market in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
According to reports, the incident occurred following an electric spark in the market after the electricity distribution company restored power a few hours after the Sunday rainstorm.
An eyewitnesses, reported by VANGAURD said the electric shock broke out from the step-down transformer suspended on an electrical pole. It stated that the victims were in the shop next to where the transformer was mounted. So, when PHCN brought current to the transformer, it sparked and consequently electrocuted the victims. The shop owners had arrived the shop for their daily sales in the market.
“A female trader was said to have been electrocuted alongside her son and another person in the market. About four persons were also injured in the incident, the eyewitness said.
The Director of Information of Obafemi Owode Local Government, Segun Soneye, has also confirmed the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta.
He explained that the woman “was burnt into ashes.”
Soneye, however, blamed the incident on the erection of shops made of iron under the powerline by the traders.
He said, the Council Chairman, Lanre Ogunsola, had visited the affected shop owners and commiserated with them over the incident.
Soneye said the LG boss had already given shop owners a seven-day ultimatum to evacuate their make-shift shops built under the high tension powerline. This is to forestall the recurrence of the incident.
According to him, the Council boss also visited other victims who are receiving treatments at Mowe Health Post.
Speaking at the health facility, Ogunsola assured them of quality medical care. He said that all the expenses will be paid by the government.
The Police Spokesman, Omolola Odutola, also confirmed the incident. She said only the mother, one Ujuwa Okechukwu, died from the electrocution.
Odutola added that about four injured victims are currently receiving healthcare at Babcock University Teaching Hospital.
source: Vanguard
