Tragedy struck in Nanka community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State during preparation for the burial of a prominent native of the town recently. Six men who were assisting the family of the deceased to mount canopies were electrocuted by 33kv high tension wire belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (formerly Power Holding Company of Nigeria). While one of them died instantly, five miraculously escaped death after some days in coma.
On their beds at Chibuzo Hospital, Ekwulobia, Anambra State, two of the men, Mr Kosisochukwu Okonkwo, and Mr Celestine Okeke, who missed death by the whiskers told Sunday Sun the story of how they came back from the dead.
With tears of joy streaming down their faces, they recounted how they battled with death for some days while in a coma before God led them back to life. Recalling the fateful day that their ordeal started, Okonkwo who hails from Agbiligba village in Nanka said: “It all happened at a burial service in Nanka. I was supposed to be the disc jockey (Dj) there but it turned out that I decided to help in making necessary preparations and arrangements before the commencement of the event. The director of Pathcam Rentals pleaded that we should help her team to mount the canopies as some of her workers went somewhere else. So we all rallied round to assist in doing that. We lifted the canopy after we had set it, to place it in the appropriate place it was supposed to stand before setting up another one. Six of us who were lifting the canopy were electrocuted by the high tension wire. The cables were sagging very well but we never knew the metal pole of the canopy would reach the height of the high tension cables. So as we were moving the canopy, the pole touched the cable and all six of us were seriously electrocuted and roasted by the powerful electric current. We were immediately rushed to the hospital. The doctors and nurses swiftly started attending to those brought to this (Chibuzo Hospital), striving to save our lives.”
Okonkwo could not hold back tears of joy as he recalled the pain of receiving the information that when the incident happened some people started spreading a rumour in the community that he was burnt to death.
“There were some filthy stories I heard from this hospital bed. Some were saying that the incident had some satanic undertone; some alleged that the bereaved family members were Ogboni people given the circumstances surrounding the incident. As far as I’m concerned it was the devil’s handiwork. Satan can strike at anytime. It was not the first time a burial service was organized in the area, and a canopy was used at that function too.
“Again, some rumours made the rounds that I died because of the electrocution. They were not telling the true story of what happened to me. They said that the electric current burned me from the waist, and entirely removed my skin; revealing the fleshy part of the body. But thank God you people are here to ascertain what actually happened to me, and the level of injuries.”
Also narrating his own horrific experience, Okeke corroborated what Okonkwo said and added: “God rescued me from the jaws of death. Take a look at me! See the serious injuries on my legs and hands. The electric current burned my legs entirely. From here (showing the reporter his legs and hands) all the s kin was burnt and removed by it. In fact, immediately the incident happened, I lost consciousness. I regained my consciousness after about two days in a coma. We are alive today because of God’s mercy. If not for God we were not supposed to be alive today given the circumstance surrounding the incident. For high tension electric current to electrocute a person, our survival is just miraculous.”
Meanwhile, the duo took swipes at officials of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company for their “lackadaisical attitude to the sensitive issue.” They pointed out that such incident which cost the life of their colleague wouldn’t have taken place if the officials were up to their responsibility.
“It is the fault of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company. They allowed their high tension wire to sag so low into somebody’s compound. They came around when the crossbar holding the high tension cables broke off. Instead of changing it with a new one, they carelessly fixed it to the body of the pole which now made it to sag even more. Thank God you (reporter) are here. May be you’ll help to convey the message to EEDC because they’re the people that caused it. EEDC is supposed to relocate their lines that passed through someone’s compound as it is their duty; but the unfortunate thing is that before they would do what they are supposed to do, they will demand that you pay them money,” Okeke alleged.
The other survivors could not be reached as they were taken to other undisclosed hospitals.
Meanwhile, when this reporter visited the office of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company in Ekwulobia which is in charge of the zone, the Business Manager was unavailable but a senior staff of the company who said he was not authorised to speak on the incident) commiserated with the families of the victims. He, however, declined to answer questions on the allegations levelled against the company by the victims and other persons who spoke to Sunday Sun. He referred the reporter to Enugu headquarters of the company for answers to his questions.
However, Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, who was contacted on the telephone, confirmed the incident and assured that the police were diligently following up the matter..
On their beds at Chibuzo Hospital, Ekwulobia, Anambra State, two of the men, Mr Kosisochukwu Okonkwo, and Mr Celestine Okeke, who missed death by the whiskers told Sunday Sun the story of how they came back from the dead.
With tears of joy streaming down their faces, they recounted how they battled with death for some days while in a coma before God led them back to life. Recalling the fateful day that their ordeal started, Okonkwo who hails from Agbiligba village in Nanka said: “It all happened at a burial service in Nanka. I was supposed to be the disc jockey (Dj) there but it turned out that I decided to help in making necessary preparations and arrangements before the commencement of the event. The director of Pathcam Rentals pleaded that we should help her team to mount the canopies as some of her workers went somewhere else. So we all rallied round to assist in doing that. We lifted the canopy after we had set it, to place it in the appropriate place it was supposed to stand before setting up another one. Six of us who were lifting the canopy were electrocuted by the high tension wire. The cables were sagging very well but we never knew the metal pole of the canopy would reach the height of the high tension cables. So as we were moving the canopy, the pole touched the cable and all six of us were seriously electrocuted and roasted by the powerful electric current. We were immediately rushed to the hospital. The doctors and nurses swiftly started attending to those brought to this (Chibuzo Hospital), striving to save our lives.”
Okonkwo could not hold back tears of joy as he recalled the pain of receiving the information that when the incident happened some people started spreading a rumour in the community that he was burnt to death.
“There were some filthy stories I heard from this hospital bed. Some were saying that the incident had some satanic undertone; some alleged that the bereaved family members were Ogboni people given the circumstances surrounding the incident. As far as I’m concerned it was the devil’s handiwork. Satan can strike at anytime. It was not the first time a burial service was organized in the area, and a canopy was used at that function too.
“Again, some rumours made the rounds that I died because of the electrocution. They were not telling the true story of what happened to me. They said that the electric current burned me from the waist, and entirely removed my skin; revealing the fleshy part of the body. But thank God you people are here to ascertain what actually happened to me, and the level of injuries.”
Also narrating his own horrific experience, Okeke corroborated what Okonkwo said and added: “God rescued me from the jaws of death. Take a look at me! See the serious injuries on my legs and hands. The electric current burned my legs entirely. From here (showing the reporter his legs and hands) all the s kin was burnt and removed by it. In fact, immediately the incident happened, I lost consciousness. I regained my consciousness after about two days in a coma. We are alive today because of God’s mercy. If not for God we were not supposed to be alive today given the circumstance surrounding the incident. For high tension electric current to electrocute a person, our survival is just miraculous.”
Meanwhile, the duo took swipes at officials of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company for their “lackadaisical attitude to the sensitive issue.” They pointed out that such incident which cost the life of their colleague wouldn’t have taken place if the officials were up to their responsibility.
“It is the fault of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company. They allowed their high tension wire to sag so low into somebody’s compound. They came around when the crossbar holding the high tension cables broke off. Instead of changing it with a new one, they carelessly fixed it to the body of the pole which now made it to sag even more. Thank God you (reporter) are here. May be you’ll help to convey the message to EEDC because they’re the people that caused it. EEDC is supposed to relocate their lines that passed through someone’s compound as it is their duty; but the unfortunate thing is that before they would do what they are supposed to do, they will demand that you pay them money,” Okeke alleged.
The other survivors could not be reached as they were taken to other undisclosed hospitals.
Meanwhile, when this reporter visited the office of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company in Ekwulobia which is in charge of the zone, the Business Manager was unavailable but a senior staff of the company who said he was not authorised to speak on the incident) commiserated with the families of the victims. He, however, declined to answer questions on the allegations levelled against the company by the victims and other persons who spoke to Sunday Sun. He referred the reporter to Enugu headquarters of the company for answers to his questions.
However, Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, who was contacted on the telephone, confirmed the incident and assured that the police were diligently following up the matter..
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