A snapped high tension power line has claimed the lives of six people, after falling on the roof of houses and shops at Kabong community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau, on Saturday.
According to the reports reaching us, the incident occurred when a faulty power line of the Jos Electricity Distribution PLC (JED) emitted sparks, fell and electrocuted eight persons in their various homes at about 3 a.m.
Speaking with newsmen when he visited the scene, Mr Istifanu John, Sole Administrator of the Jos North Local Government Council, described it as very unfortunate.
He called on the JED to fix all faults that might have triggered the nightmare.
He said; “This is pathetic because it is an avoidable situation.
“Those that lost their lives didn’t go anywhere to look for trouble; they died in their homes.
“As government, we are pained by this development.
“We call on JED to ensure that all faulty power sources are fixed to avoid this monumental loss in the future”.
The Sole Administrator condoled with the bereaved families and called on residents to be wary about their use of electric appliances.
In his remarks, spokesman of the traders association in the community, Mr Solomon Odidi, said seven shops were razed.
Odidi blamed the incident on erratic power supplied by the JED only at night.
He commended the Plateau Fire Service for its timely response, which he said minimised the number of casualties and staved further damages.
Odidi appealed to government to support the bereaved families and those whose properties were destroyed in the accident.
