Gombe mourns as high voltage electrocution kills perm sec, four others

The Tudun-Wadan Pantami area of Gombe Metropolis was thrown into mourning when an electrical surge killed five people and left 13 others injured in the early hours of Saturday.

It was gathered that the state’s Permanent Secretary, Special Duties and Regional Coordination, Abdullahi Kulani, was among the five Persons that was affected by the electrocution.

The authorities disclosed that the incident was caused by a high-voltage that surged from a nearby transformer, occurred just after dawn, catching residents unawares.

The spokesperson of the Gombe State Police Command, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, while confirming the incident to newsmen stated that the officers from the Low-cost Divisional Police Headquarters swiftly responded to the distress call.

According to the spokesperson: “Our officers moved quickly to secure the scene and evacuate the victims to hospitals for urgent medical care. Unfortunately, five individuals lost their lives, and thirteen others sustained varying degrees of injuries.”

The police also stated that the deceased have been deposited in three different morgues; three bodies at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, one at the State Specialist Hospital, one at Bolari Filin Kwallo Mortuary.

The injured victims are currently receiving treatment at several health facilities across the state.

Abdullahi noted that the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Yahaya, described the incident as “deeply saddening” and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

“We express our heartfelt sympathy to those who have lost loved ones and wish the injured a swift and full recovery,” he said.

He assured the public of a thorough investigation into the cause of the power surge. “We are determined to uncover the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event and ensure accountability where necessary,” he said.

One of the eyewitness, who spoke to newsmen asked on the condition of anonymity, described the moment of the incident as “terrifying,” noting that several victims were electrocuted in their homes.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. People were shouting and running; some were already unconscious by the time help arrived,” the resident said.