A Permanent Secretary and four others were electrocuted and 13 others injured in the early hours of Saturday at Pantami, the Gombe State Police Command reports.
Abdullahi Kulani, the Permanent Secretary for Special Duties and Regional Coordination, was among those who lost their lives in the incident.
Authorities reported that the tragic event was caused by a high-voltage surge from a nearby transformer. The surge occurred just after dawn, catching residents unprepared.
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Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Gombe State Police Command, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, stated that officers from the Low-cost Divisional Police Headquarters responded swiftly to a distress call.
“Our officers moved quickly to secure the scene and evacuate the victims to hospitals for urgent medical care. Unfortunately, five individuals lost their lives, and thirteen others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Abdullahi said.
According to the police, the deceased have been taken to three different morgues: three bodies were deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe; one at the State Specialist Hospital; and one at Bolari Filin Kwallo Mortuary.
The injured victims are currently receiving treatment at various health facilities across the state.
Commissioner of Police, Bello Yahaya, described the incident as “deeply saddening” and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
THEEAGLEONLINE
