The tragic electrocution incident that claimed five lives and injured thirteen others in Gombe State on June 14, 2025, stemmed from negligence and disregarded maintenance warnings, according to the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA). A technical investigation conducted by NEMSA attributed the fatal surge in the Tudun Wada Pantami area to a confluence of infrastructure failures and the absence of standard safety mechanisms within the local power network. The primary cause was identified as a broken high-tension wooden cross-arm, which allowed a live wire to fall onto a low-tension line, triggering a deadly voltage surge through residential areas. This incident tragically claimed the life of Mr. Yusuf Kulani, a prominent Gombe State civil servant and Permanent Secretary of Special Duties and Regional Coordination, among others.
NEMSA’s investigation, prompted by the widespread outrage and grief following the incident, involved dispatching a technical team to the site on June 15, 2025. Their preliminary findings revealed that the severity of the surge was amplified by a non-functional battery bank at the Riyal Injection Substation. This malfunction critically compromised the substation’s protection unit, rendering it incapable of mitigating the surge. Crucially, NEMSA highlighted that the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (Jos DisCo), responsible for the area’s power distribution, had been explicitly warned about these critical safety deficiencies. A letter dated April 30, 2025, meticulously detailed the hazardous state of Gombe’s distribution network, including the deteriorated wooden cross-arms, and the inherent risks they posed to lives and property. Tragically, these warnings went unheeded.
The gravity of Jos DisCo’s negligence is further underscored by NEMSA’s specific recommendations in their April 30th letter, identified by reference number NEMSA/TS/TS&IS/IFO-BAU/097/V.1. The letter explicitly urged Jos DisCo to prioritize the replacement of dilapidated infrastructure, including the compromised wooden cross-arms and worn-out conductors. The agency’s investigation concluded that this failure to act directly resulted in the tragic loss of life. The incident unfolded in the early hours of June 14th, with eyewitnesses recounting sparks erupting across the affected area, igniting fires and delivering electric shocks as residents frantically attempted to disconnect their appliances. The surge left a trail of destruction, damaging numerous homes and electrical devices such as refrigerators and televisions.
The technical evaluation, coupled with eyewitness accounts, painted a clear picture of the incident’s progression. The structural failure initiated with the high-tension (11kV) wooden cross-arm support giving way, causing the red phase high-tension conductor to detach. This live conductor then came into direct contact with the lower-voltage (400V) line below, channeling a dangerous surge of electricity directly into residential homes. The consequences were immediate and devastating:idespread electrical sparks, severe electric shocks, and the fatal electrocution of five individuals. NEMSA’s report categorically stated that the incident was preventable, attributing the tragedy to Jos DisCo’s disregard for previous warnings and its failure to implement necessary corrective measures.
NEMSA’s investigation highlighted a pattern of neglect by Jos DisCo, citing not only the ignored warnings but also a systemic lack of regular maintenance on the power network. This neglect encompassed the continued use of aged and compromised materials, the absence of crucial protective devices like circuit breakers, and an overall state of poor network maintenance. These factors, in combination, created the conditions for the tragic event. The incident underscores the inherent dangers of poorly managed electricity infrastructure and the potentially fatal consequences of neglecting critical safety standards.
In response to this preventable tragedy, NEMSA has committed to stricter enforcement of safety regulations and pledged to collaborate with Jos DisCo to address the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades. This collaborative effort will focus on replacing the dilapidated assets and ensuring the comprehensive installation of essential safety equipment in the affected communities. Beyond immediate remedial action, NEMSA aims to implement broader safety measures, emphasizing the critical importance of regular inspections and maintenance, the use of up-to-date materials, and the mandatory installation of protective devices. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of electricity and reinforces the need for vigilant safety practices, including avoiding residing or conducting business near power lines. NEMSA extended condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Gombe, reaffirming their commitment to preventing similar incidents in the future. The agency vowed to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure comprehensive safety reforms within the power distribution network, aiming to prevent a recurrence of this tragic and avoidable loss of life.
