Photo: SIminalayi Fubara, Suspended Governor of Rivers State
Tragedy struck in the early hours of Monday in Okrika Community, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, when a high-tension electric cable snapped and fell onto a residential area, killing at least six people.
Among the victims were a pregnant woman and an officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The incident occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m., leaving the community in shock and grief.
The fallen cable also ignited a fire that completely razed a building, destroying properties estimated to be worth millions of naira.
An eyewitness, Ebiye, a resident of the area, recounted the terrifying moment the cable snapped. “We were all asleep when we suddenly heard a loud noise like something exploding. Within minutes, we saw flames and heard people screaming. It was like a nightmare. By the time help arrived, it was already too late for some of them.”
A source who lives a few houses away from the affected building said, “The fire spread so fast. We tried to use water and sand to stop it, but it was hopeless. We later found out that a pregnant woman and others had been electrocuted. This is the worst thing we’ve seen in years.”
Community leaders have since called for an immediate investigation into the area’s electrical infrastructure condition. “This tragedy could have been avoided if the power lines had been properly maintained,” said a local elder, who spoke anonymously.
“We are calling on the electricity distribution company and government to act swiftly to prevent further loss of lives.”
Emergency responders and officials from the Rivers State Government are reportedly being deployed to the site, while investigations into the exact cause of the incident are ongoing.
