Student, nursing mother electrocuted in Calabar

Another electrocution in Calabar has claimed the lives of a 100-level Mechanical Engineering student of Cross River State University of Technology (CRUTECH) and a nursing mother, with sympathizers leading a protest march to the governor’s off

ice yesterday.

This latest incident that occurred at 14, Adak Uko Street in Calabar on Monday night is coming seven months after a high-tension cable fell on the roof of a football viewing centre in Nyagasang, killing nine football fans.

An eyewitness and the landlord of the building, who simply gave his name as Mr. Obo, said the cable had always been falling in the past, but this time was the first time it fell on the roof and caused a fire incident.

One of the victims, Mr. Itorobong Akpan, said property worth millions of naira alongside over 20 apartments, were destroyed by the inferno. “This is the fifth time this year that this high tension cable has fallen. Yesterday, around 8:00p.m. we heard a sudden sound, the cable fell and landed on our roof. There was a huge vibration and this lit up the whole compound,” he said.

Akpan further disclosed that most occupants of the building were around when the inferno occurred but the young boy who died ran out of his apartment and touched an antenna pole and got electrocuted while the lady who died owns a steel provisions store in the compound. She touched the steel housing her store and also got electrocuted.

“During the electrocution, I told those who were inside their apartments to remain inside and they heeded my advice, that was why a lot of lives were saved. It could have been worse. I was also inside my shop until the electrocution ceased,” he said.

Meanwhile, students of CRUTECH stormed the Governor’s Office in Calabar, demanding that the spate of electrocution in the state should stop. A student, Tolale Prince Harmony, friend of the deceased, said “each time there is damage to any cable, they keep directing us to call Port Harcourt. I am wondering, what does Port Harcourt have to do with this?

“During the fire, they called the fire service and they said no water, no impress. I am just tired of this country. The cable fell on the building and killed Inyang David and another lady, who just gave birth, and did her child dedication two Sundays ago.”

The Special Adviser to the governor on Student Affairs, Prince Michael Abuo, said the governor is going to ensure the issue is addressed. The Acting Chief Executive Officer, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), Mr. Kingsley Achife, has commiserated with the families of those who died in the electrical accident. He also sympathized with those whose houses were burnt during the incident.