PHCN STAFFER ELECTROCUTED, GLUED TO POLE IN MINNA

MINNA, the Niger State Capital was thrown into mourning at the weekend, following the electrocution of a casual technician with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

He was attempting to carry out some repair works on an electricity high tension pole at the Maikunkele, in Bosso Local Government Area of the state.

The incident occurred at about 2pm on Saturday after officials of PHCN had switched off electricity in the community on the arrival of some of its staff in company with the deceased, identified as Habib Yisa.

He was believed to have been a casual worker with the organization. 
The Nigerian Compass learnt that officials of the organisation suddenly switched on the light just after the deceased had climbed the pole and was busy working on the faulty high tension electric cable.

A relation of the deceased, Mr. Usman Suleiman Majindadi Bosso, said: "I was called by some concerned citizens and neighbours who knew that I was responsible for his education and grooming to come and see the lifeless body of Habib Yisa dangling on the pole."

He said that the understanding of the bereaved family members was that there was no way electricity could be restored by PHCN without knowing what was happening on the high tension wire, adding that about one hour later there was no PHCN official to speak to on the incident.

It was further learnt that the deceased and his colleagues had arrived in the company’s van loaded with familiar equipment, including tools, ladder and belt brought from the PHCH office in the area.

The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Niger State Police Command, Mr. Richard Adamu Oguche during an interview with the Nigerian Compass on Monday in Minna.

He said: "On Saturday, we got information that a PHCN official was electrocuted at Maikunkele area in Bosso Local Government Area of Minna the state capital when he went to execute his lawful duties and we learnt that he actually went there to do a reconnection with the view that people of the community enjoy electricity supply".

Oguche, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said that the Police went to the scene with the view to rescuing the deceased from the electric pole but stated that at the time the police got there that he was confirmed dead.

"When the PHCN office was contacted, they confirmed that he was one of their casual staffers, but I think we are trying to blame the cause of his death on personal negligence because climbing that pole, professionally he was supposed to go there with hand gloves and he did not kit himself properly. 

We also know that it is part of their ethics that when going to reconnect electricity in a particular area, the substation is supposed to be tripped off at that very moment", he conclude.

Source: Compass