A male Point-of-Sale operator in Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, was tragically electrocuted after a high-tension cable snapped and fell on him.
DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS gathered that the incident occurred while the victim was standing in front of his shop, which was located directly beneath the power line.
Eyewitnesses at the scene told our correspondent on Tuesday that the incident occurred over the weekend.
However, the victim’s lifeless body was still lying on the ground days later, with the high-tension cable draped across it and emitting smoke, sparking panic in the area.
This account was confirmed by a video currently circulating on social media, showing the deceased lying motionless on the ground with the high-tension cable still draped over his body.
Although the full identity of the victim had yet to be ascertained as of the time this report was filed, sources from the area said he recently got married.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Ossy Onuko, who reacted to the development on Tuesday, described the incident as unfortunate, noting that such misfortunes are parts of the reasons the agency carries out sensitisation and enforcement against building or trading under the high-tension wire.
Onuko also noted that during the sensitisation, people often criticised them for their enforcement against trading under the high-tension wire.
He said, “This is something we have been campaigning against from time to time, that it is very dangerous to build or trade under the high-tension wire.
“In fact, it is part of the reasons why most times, on social media, we are vilified as being inhumane for trying to let people know that they cannot either build or trade under the high tension.
“It is something very pathetic. It’s a suicide mission to have your shop or your kiosk or your roadside activities under the high tension. The avoidable loss of life is unfortunate. It is sadly one example of many negative outcomes and resultant effects of such an act of negligence to safety.
“That should serve as a deterrent to others who still indulge in such a prohibited act. This should also make the public understand that the sensitisation and enforcement being carried out by ACTDA against such things are not to witch-hunt them but for their own safety.
“Unfortunately, we have lost a life. I pray for the peaceful repose of this soul. But also, it should serve as a deterrent to others, that they shouldn’t just fold their arms and wait for us; when we come, they run away and return when we leave.
“People should see it as a personal responsibility to be safety conscious and also enlighten others, not just themselves. No precious life is worth being lost to such a careless and avoidable death. A stitch in time saves nine.”
