Ilorin, Kwara State — Tragedy struck a community in Ilorin in the early hours of Tuesday as a 30-year-old graduate identified as Olabosun Ismail lost his life after being electrocuted by a faulty high-tension cable, igniting fresh concerns over the safety of electricity infrastructure in the area.
According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred after a high-tension wire reportedly snapped and fell onto nearby power lines, triggering heavy sparks and a fire outbreak that sent residents into panic. The fallen cable, which locals said had been in a dangerous state for some time, wreaked havoc as electricity surged through the area of Dogua Community, Yakuba Area, Along Kwara Poly.
Residents disclosed that several warnings had previously been issued to the relevant authorities about the unstable cable, but no prompt action was taken to fix the fault. “We have been complaining about this wire for weeks,” a resident lamented. “Nobody came to repair it, and now we have lost a young life.”
In the chaos that followed the cable snap, efforts were made by residents to control the situation and prevent further damage. It was during this period that the victim, described as a recent graduate who had just completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was electrocuted.
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The deceased was said to be well-known in the community, and his sudden death has left family members, friends, and neighbors in deep shock and mourning.
The incident has also reignited widespread criticism of electricity distribution companies over what many describe as negligence and poor maintenance of critical infrastructure. Community members are calling for a thorough investigation and immediate action to prevent future occurrences.
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The fire incident also left his younger sister with the name Yetunde injured, she sustained burns on her legs.
The tragic loss underscores the urgent need for improved monitoring, maintenance, and rapid response to electrical faults, as residents continue to demand accountability and safer living conditions.
The incident was reported to the Police Division in Oke-Oyi, while the remains of the deceased was buried according to islam after his parents arrived from Lagos.
