By Our Correspondent
Three men have been electrocuted to death in Onitsha, Anambra State, after an iron pole they were attempting to erect for a water tank fell onto an 11kV electricity line.
The incident occurred on Monday, October 19, 2026, at No. 123, Old Port Harcourt Road, Fegge, Onitsha, while the victims were working at a compound where the owner of a two-storey building had engaged a contractor to sink a borehole.
The victims, identified as Chukwudi Ukwa, Frank Okafor and Somadina Nwabuike, reportedly arrived at the premises as part of the contractor’s team and were attempting to erect the iron pole when it fell onto the overhead electricity line, electrocuting all three men instantly.
Their bodies were subsequently taken to the General Hospital, Onitsha, by police officers from the Fegge Division.
The building owner, identified as Mr Steven, was said to be assisting the police with their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Reacting to the incident, FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited expressed concern over the deaths, describing them as a reminder of the dangers of carrying out construction and installation work close to overhead electricity lines without observing the required safety precautions.
In a statement signed by its Head of Communications, Izunna Okafor, the company warned property owners, contractors and artisans against erecting water tanks, handling long metal objects or undertaking construction activities close to power lines without adequate safety clearance.
It explained that metal objects that come into contact with energised electricity lines could conduct current and cause fatal electrocution, even when those handling them do not deliberately touch the wires.
FirstPower said it had continued to conduct electricity safety awareness campaigns in markets, motor parks, streets, schools and communities across Anambra State to discourage dangerous activities around electricity infrastructure.
The company said its campaigns had particularly targeted traders operating beneath high-tension lines, commercial tricycle operators loading passengers under power lines and residents undertaking construction work dangerously close to electricity installations.
It stressed that electricity line corridors were not safe spaces for unauthorised buildings, trading stalls, canopies, scaffolding, water tanks or the handling of long metal objects.
The company urged property owners to ensure that contractors engaged for borehole drilling, building construction, roofing and water tank installation assessed their work environments for electricity hazards before commencing operations.
It also advised contractors and artisans to maintain prescribed safety clearances and avoid lifting or erecting metal poles near overhead conductors without appropriate professional guidance and safety measures.
Members of the public were further warned against touching fallen electricity wires or attempting to move objects in contact with power lines.
They were advised to keep a safe distance from affected areas and report suspected electrical hazards immediately to FirstPower or the appropriate emergency authorities.
The company extended its condolences to the families and associates of the deceased, urging residents to take electricity safety warnings seriously.
It added that it would sustain public sensitisation campaigns and collaborate with relevant authorities and communities to discourage dangerous activities around electricity installations.
FirstPower also called on residents to report hazardous activities and encroachment on electricity line corridors before they result in further loss of lives.
