Family of four electrocuted in Taraba State

In a heart-wrenching incident, a family of four, comprising the father, mother, and their two children, fell victim to electrocution during a sudden power surge in the Dinyavoh area of Jalingo, Taraba State.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdullahi, confirmed the tragic incident, though he noted that the youngest child of the family survived.

The incident unfolded due to a power surge that occurred in the morning, triggered by an explosion from a nearby transformer. Multiple residences in the vicinity were affected, with several individuals sustaining injuries, and they are currently receiving medical treatment.

Abdullahi, in a statement, stated that the incident took place around 11 am on Monday and was suspected to be linked to a power surge.

He stated, “Around 11 am on Monday, we received credible information about a house in the Dinyavoh area of Jalingo being engulfed in flames. Detectives from the GRA Police Division promptly responded to the scene and found four victims with burn injuries indicative of electrocution.”

The victims were identified as Ofonbuk Remond (44), his wife, Mfonbong Remond, Heaven Remond (15), and First Remond (13). Abdullahi added, “We learned that immediately after power was restored, the transformer serving the area malfunctioned. Many residences in the neighborhood reportedly experienced a sudden surge in electric voltage, which likely triggered the fire that resulted in burn injuries to the victims.”

The police evacuated the injured victims to the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo for treatment, but tragically, they were declared dead upon arrival.

The bodies have been placed in the hospital’s mortuary for autopsy, and an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the incident.

A resident, Boniface Musa, recounted the distressing moment when he witnessed the transformer in their area catch fire, prompting him to shut down electronic devices and gas appliances. He was unaware that his neighbors were inside their home, and he saw the youngest child of the family outside, crying, as their dwelling was consumed by flames.