Tragedy struck at Agip Estate area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, yesterday, following the electrocution of a nursing mother identified as Latifa Seiyi.
This is even as pandemonium broke in the early hours of yesterday, when six worshippers were feared dead after a high tension electric wire suddenly snapped and fell on the victims during church service.
The Rivers incident reportedly occurred when a high tension wire fell on the roof of the victim’s building.
A source in the area, who identified himself simply as Stanley, said while the woman rushed to save her four-month-old baby, she stepped on the live cable.
A neighbour to the victim, who spoke in confidence, criticised the act of building houses under high tension, and called on the government to end the menace.
The source said: “The incident is pathetic. It is something that nobody would want to see happen. The woman just gave birth some four months ago.
“We were at home when the cable fell. I would have also been a victim. The woman was rushing to the room to save her daughter but her legs touched the cable.
“The cable burnt her legs. She struggled to her daughter, but she never knew that the protector had current. It was that one that killed her.
“I want to use this opportunity to discourage the act of building under high tension lines. It is bad.”
In Lagos, the identified of victims could not be ascertained as of press time.
According to eyewitness, the incident occurred at 07:34 am on El-Adonai Evangelical Ministry, 18 Jibiwu Road, off Agbe Road, U-turn Bus Stop, Abule Egba, Lagos.
The incident involved a high tension cable connecting the Cherubim & Seraphim Church’s flag pole leading to the electrical shock of about sixx male adults.
Men of the Agege Fire Station of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were sai to have rushed to the incident scene with a view to secure lives and properties in the area.
Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Adeseye Margaret, confirmed the incident.
He could, however, not ascertain the number of deaths, saying some of the victims were unconscious as of press time.
“The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company has been informed and consequently de-energized power distribution to the environment while rescue operations continue amid youths’ restiveness and tensed area,” Adeseye stated.
