The Nigerian Electricity Management Services has blamed the Jos Electricity Distribution Company for an electricity surge that killed the Permanent Secretary for Special Duties and Regional Coordination in Gombe State, Mr Yusuf Kulani, and four others.

According to a statement on Sunday, NEMSA’s Head of Communications and Protocol Unit, Mrs Ama Umoren, said a tragic electrical accident rocked the Tudun Wada Pantami area of Gombe State on June 14, with five persons dead and 13 others receiving treatment in the hospital.

The report of the incident, it was said, sparked outrage and grief in the Riyel community area of the state.

According to her, an investigation into the incident uncovered several systemic and infrastructure-related issues, including the use of aged, untreated/deteriorated wooden cross arms in the distribution network; absence of standard protective devices such as circuit breakers and RCDs in consumer installations; aged low-tension conductors, poorly maintained substations, and inadequate clearances between high-tension lines and residential structures.

According to NEMSA, the failure of the protection and tripping unit at the Riyal Injection Substation was attributed to the use of a non-functional battery bank, which allowed the fault to persist until human intervention occurred.

“From the report of the preliminary investigation, it can be said that this is an unfortunate but preventable incident had the Jos DisCo heeded previous warnings from NEMSA to rectify and correct observed faults on the network. The failure of Jos’ utility company to carry out regular maintenance on the network when due led to this avoidable accident.

“For instance, on 30th April, this year, NEMSA in a letter Ref: NEMSA/TS/TS&IS/IFO-BAU/097/V.1, wrote to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Jos Electricity Distribution Company Plc, drawing his attention to defects observed by NEMSA officials on the networks within Gombe metropolis which are negatively impacting on the efficient delivery of service and posed great risk to the safety of lives and property of electricity consumers and citizens within the network.

“The utility company was consequently advised to effect immediate repairs on the network to avoid ugly incidents such as the one that just happened. Unfortunately, that advice was ignored by Jos DisCo,” the statement read.

The incident, which reportedly occurred around 12:45 am on the said day, was linked to a snapped high-tension power line that made contact with low-tension wires, leading to an uncontrolled surge of electricity sparks across the local distribution network.

NEMSA recalled that the Jos DisCo confirmed the incident in a statement, saying, “We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident that occurred at approximately 00:45 hours on Saturday, affecting customers connected to the Tudun Wada Pantami Distribution Transformer two in the Riyel community. We are closely monitoring the situation, particularly in light of the palpable tension within the affected community.”

On getting the information, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NEMSA, who also doubles as the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Aliyu Tukur, was said to have ordered a thorough technical investigation of the tragic incident in Tudun Wada, Gombe State.

Consequently, a NEMSA technical team led by Engr Tajudeen Alabi was dispatched to the site on June 15 to investigate the incident in accordance with the NEMSA mandate as contained in the Electricity Act 2023.

“Eyewitness accounts and technical evaluations revealed that the incident was triggered by a structural failure of a high-tension (11kV) wooden cross-arm support, which led to the detachment of the red phase high-tension conductor. This conductor made direct contact with a low-voltage (400V) line below, causing a dangerous voltage surge into residential houses. The impact resulted in widespread electrical sparks, severe electric shocks, and the electrocution of five individuals.

“Several residents sustained varying degrees of injuries while trying to disconnect their power supplies to their homes and electrical appliances, including televisions, refrigerators, and meters, which were extensively damaged,” NEMSA said.

Having blamed JEDC, NEMSA added that electricity is associated with hazards that could even affect the personnel working in the electricity sector, warning that electricity should be used safely and wisely.

“NEMSA hereby renews its call on utility companies to ensure regular maintenance of their networks. We equally advise Nigerians to avoid staying under power lines, erecting buildings under power lines, or doing any form of business under power lines because it is very risky.

“NEMSA expresses its deepest condolences to the government and people of Gombe state, especially the families of the deceased, on this pathetic and sad moment and assures the public of its commitment to ensuring safety in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the agency noted that it would work closely with JEDC and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the replacement of dilapidated infrastructure in the affected area, enforce the installation of proper protective devices in residential and public buildings, and conduct thorough safety inspections across the distribution network.