I Became Unconscious After Spark Hit Me” — Woman Recounts Horror of Aroma High-Tension Electrocution

By Tony Okafor, Awka

Residents and business owners around the busy Aroma Junction in Awka, Anambra State, are living in fear following another frightening high-tension electricity incident that left a popular businesswoman, Ms. Nancy Onyebuchi Okafor, badly shaken and nursing burns.

Nancy, who narrowly escaped death, recounted how a violent electric spark from a facility belonging to the First Power Distribution Company suddenly struck her at her business premises, throwing the entire area into confusion.

Speaking on the terrifying experience, the visibly distressed woman said she lost consciousness and her tongue twisted immediately after the electric spark hit her.

“Honestly, I was electrocuted. I thank God that I survived the fire spark. The spark hit me and I became unconscious. When I regained consciousness, I discovered that I had sustained burns on my body and hands,” she narrated emotionally.

According to her, the incident was so severe that she initially feared she had suffered a stroke after regaining consciousness.

“My mouth and tongue became twisted and difficult to control. I didn’t even understand what was happening to me at first,” she said.

She disclosed that despite surviving the incident, she still battles pains from the burns and trauma caused by the electric shock.

“I eventually recovered, but it was difficult for me to even sit up afterward. I suddenly heard a loud spark and the fire fell on me. I was not even standing directly under the wire. The distance was about 20 feet away. It was a terrible experience,” she added.

The businesswoman further revealed that another man standing close to her was also struck by the electric spark and sustained injuries during the incident.

Eyewitnesses said panic gripped traders and passersby as people scampered for safety following the loud thunde-like sound from the high-tension line.

Nancy stated that the dangerous sparking of the electricity wire was not entirely new in the area, noting that residents and traders had witnessed similar incidents several times in the past.

“I have operated here for over ten years and the wire sparks occasionally. But this particular one was the heaviest of them all,” she said.
She added that even a nearby filling station was affected by the electric surge.

“Even the manager of the filling station nearby said the electric shock affected the ground within the filling station,” she said.

According to her, it was later discovered that the fault originated from the Nawfia axis

Nancy disclosed that officials of the First Power Distribution Company later visited the scene after the incident.

“The officials came to see us, but by then, the man who was badly affected had already gone home for treatment,” she explained.

Still thanking God for surviving the ordeal, she described her escape as miraculous.

“We truly thank God that we survived and are still alive. It is a thing of joy and gratitude that we escaped such a horrible incident, although the pains are still there,” she said.

Expressing fear over the continued presence of the high-tension line in the densely populated commercial area, Nancy warned that a major tragedy could occur if urgent action is not taken.

“How can I be comfortable?” she asked when questioned about operating around the dangerous electricity installation.

Describing the situation as a disaster waiting to happen, she warned that the outcome could have been catastrophic if the live wire had fallen directly to the ground.

“If the wire had touched the ground, the two of us would not have been the only victims. Many people would have been affected. There could probably have been multiple casualties,” she said.

The latest incident has again raised serious concerns among residents over the safety of the high-tension electricity facilities stretching through the busy Aroma axis of Awka, with many calling on authorities and the electricity distribution company to urgently address the growing danger before lives are lost.