By Deborah Nnamdi
Tragedy struck in Ilorin, Kwara State, in the early hours of Tuesday, April 7, as a 30-year-old man, Olabosun Isiaka, lost his life in a fire outbreak reportedly caused by a fallen high-tension electricity wire.
The incident occurred between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. in the Yakuba area, after a high-tension cable supplying power to the neighbourhood snapped, allegedly after prior warnings about its condition were ignored.
An eyewitness, Seyi Adunbarin, said the faulty wire had shown signs of imminent collapse and had been reported to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) office in Ilorin, but no action was taken before the incident.
According to him, the snapped wire fell onto other connected lines, triggering a fire that rapidly spread to nearby buildings, forcing residents to scramble to contain the situation and salvage their belongings.
“When the wire was finally cut off, it fell on other wires and caused a fire outbreak. Some houses around caught fire, and people were trying to remove their fuses to stop the electricity from worsening the situation,” he said.
Isiaka reportedly got caught in the blaze during attempts to disconnect power and prevent further damage, leading to his death.
The deceased, a graduate of Kwara State Polytechnic, was described as a promising young man who had recently completed his National Youth Service Corps programme in December and was working to build his future.
The fire also left his younger brother injured, as he sustained burns on his leg while escaping the inferno. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and is currently receiving treatment.
The incident was reported to the police division in Oke-Oyi, while the victim’s remains were later moved to a mortuary in Oyun after his parents arrived from Lagos.
Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Fire Service said the fire was caused by a fallen high-tension wire and had since been brought under control. The agency added that the faulty line was repaired by IBEDC officials on April 7, 2026.
Meanwhile, residents have called for a thorough investigation and accountability, urging relevant authorities to take action against any negligence that may have led to the fatal incident.
