CITIZENS COMPASS—A Permanent Secretary, Abdullahi Kulani, and four other persons have been electrocuted following a power surge in Gombe State.
13 persons were said to have suffered varying degrees of injuries when the power surge occurred on Saturday.
Kulani was the Permanent Secretary for Special Duties and Regional Coordination in the State.
Spokesperson, Gombe State Police Command, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, confirmed the incident attributing it to a high-voltage power surge from a nearby transformer was responsible for the tragedy.
He said officials from the Command responded immediately to the scene.
According to him, “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.”
He said the remains were deposited at three different morgues; the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe, State Specialist Hospital, and Bolari Filin Kwallo Mortuary.
Meanwhile, those who were injured are receiving treatment at various hospitals in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Yahaya, called the situation “deeply saddening” and offered his sympathy to those affected.
“We express our heartfelt sympathy to those who have lost loved ones and wish the injured a swift and full recovery,” he said.
He also promised a full investigation into what caused the power surge. “We are determined to uncover the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event and ensure accountability where necessary,” he added.
Residents in the area are still shaken by the incident. One eyewitness, who preferred to stay anonymous, described the moment as “terrifying,” and said many people were affected right inside their homes.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. People were shouting and running; some were already unconscious by the time help arrived,” the resident said.
