Tragedy struck on Fagbeyiro Street in the Alakuko area of Lagos State after a high-tension wire fell on a 14-year-old girl, Deborah Faleke, who was electrocuted.
Our correspondent learnt that Deborah,
who had come to stay briefly with her elder sister, Bukola Ogunbajo, on
the street, just left secondary school, having finished sitting for
2016/2017 West African Senior School Certificate Examination about three
weeks ago.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the
wire – which belonged to the Ikeja Electric – fell on the girl
immediately electricity was restored to the area around 10am on
Saturday.
It was gathered that Deborah was at the
gate of the apartment when the wire fell on her head and also injured a
landlord in the area, whose name had yet to be ascertained.
Our correspondent learnt that the
victim’s elder sister, Ogunbajo, and neighbours rushed Deborah to a
hospital, but she was rejected. She was rushed to another hospital,
where she was confirmed dead.
It was gathered that the incident was reported at the Alakuko Police Division.
PUNCH Metro learnt that some
Ikeja Electric officials also visited the street on Saturday to
reconnect the damaged high-tension wire, promising Ogunbajo’s landlord,
identified only as Ogudugu, and the deceased’s family that a meeting
would be held with them.
When our correspondent visited the area
on Thursday, Deborah’s father, Pastor Ademola Faleke, who lived on
Ilupeju Street, said Deborah was his last child.
He said, “On Friday, I went out of Lagos
State for a ministration. So, the girl went to stay with her eldest
sister on Fagbeyiro Street. That was not her first time.
“I was at Iyana-Ipaja on Saturday on my
way back when I was called on the telephone and told about the incident.
There was no rainfall. Deborah was not sent on any errand. She was just
passing through the gate when the wire fell on her. The marks on her
body showed that the wire fell on her head.
“She was rushed to a hospital. The
workers there said they did not have adequate equipment. So she was
rushed to a second private hospital on Adegbola Street, where she later
died. The doctor issued a death certificate to us.
“She just finished secondary school; she
was also my interpreter. She was very active in church. I want the
electricity distribution company to at least show some concern. My
daughter, who is my joy, has been taken away by a careless electrical
connection.”
Speaking with PUNCH Metro, the landlord, Ogudugu, said the Ikeja Electric officials promised to come on Thursday to hold talks with him.
He said, “There was a wooden hanger that
connected the three high-tension wires. When electricity was restored
that day, the wood caught fire and one of the wires snapped and fell.
There was confusion in the whole area on Saturday. The officials
promised to visit my house around 1pm today (Thursday). I am still
waiting to receive them.”
A resident of the area, who gave his
name only as Olusola, said, “A landlord was injured. He is still being
treated in a hospital. Nobody could move near the girl for fear of being
electrocuted.
“I want to enjoin the electricity
distribution companies that any high-tension wire passing through a
community should be placed on a suspended hanger so that if any of them
breaks, it will not fall on people.”
The Lagos State Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Damasus Ozoani, confirmed the incident.
He said, “The police received the report
of the electrocution. The high-tension wire cut off on the street and
fell on the girl. Investigation is ongoing.”
The Head, Corporate Communications,
Ikeja Electric, Felix Ofulue, had yet to reply to a text message sent to
his mobile phone on the incident.
No comments:
Post a Comment