Two people have tragically lost their lives, and many homes have been severely damaged after a high-voltage power surge struck the Karatudu community in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The fire, which resulted from the electrical fault, has left the residents shaken and in a state of panic.
The incident, which occurred over the weekend, involved a sudden and uncontrollable surge in the electricity supply. The victims, a 69-year-old man named Johnson Atteh and a 16-year-old boy, Joshua Olatunde, were both electrocuted in their homes while attempting to switch off a refrigerator and plug in a mobile phone. These everyday actions turned fatal as the power surge proved to be deadly.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident began when an electrical fault in the distribution line of the Kaduna Electric feeder caused a massive surge of electricity. This surge overloaded the transformer that was supplying power to the community, triggering a fire that quickly spread to nearby houses. The intense fire caused widespread damage to the properties in the area, leaving many families homeless.
Residents of Karatudu have expressed their shock and fear over the tragedy. Many have called for urgent measures to prevent a repeat of the disaster. Some believe the fire could have been avoided if the electrical system had been properly maintained and monitored.
The victims’ families are still in shock and mourning. Johnson Atteh, the older victim, was reportedly in his home trying to turn off his refrigerator when he was electrocuted. Likewise, Joshua Olatunde, the teenager, had been attempting to charge his mobile phone when the power surge struck. Both victims were instantly electrocuted, and despite efforts to save them, they were pronounced dead at the scene.
The community members have been left reeling from the tragic loss of their neighbors. Many expressed their concerns about the state of the electrical infrastructure in the area, citing that similar incidents have occurred in the past but have not been addressed adequately.
“We’ve been living with constant power issues for years,” said a local resident, who requested to remain anonymous. “Sometimes, the power is so low, and other times it comes with such force that it can damage appliances. We’ve warned the authorities about these problems, but no real action has been taken. This tragedy could have been avoided.”
The Karatudu community has called on the authorities, including Kaduna Electric, to take swift action to fix the faulty distribution lines and transformers. The residents believe that if proper checks and maintenance had been conducted, the fault might have been identified and resolved before it led to such a devastating event.
In response to the incident, Kaduna Electric has expressed its condolences to the affected families and vowed to investigate the cause of the fault. The company also promised to work with local authorities to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in Karatudu,” a spokesperson for Kaduna Electric said. “We have already begun an investigation into the cause of the fault, and we are committed to ensuring that necessary repairs are made to prevent this from happening again.”
However, the company’s assurances have done little to calm the nerves of the residents. Many believe that more should be done, not only to repair the system but also to ensure better safety standards for electricity distribution in the state. Some have pointed out that the electrical infrastructure in many parts of the state is old and needs urgent upgrading.
In addition to the immediate loss of life, the fire also caused extensive damage to the homes and belongings of many community members. The flames engulfed several houses, leaving families with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Local authorities have pledged to provide assistance to those affected, but many are still uncertain about the future.
“We lost everything,” said one of the affected residents, tears in her eyes. “Our homes, our belongings… we don’t know where to go from here. The fire came so fast, and we couldn’t save anything. We just want help and for this to never happen again.”
The loss of life and property in Karatudu has raised concerns about the reliability of the power supply in Kaduna State. For many, the event is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by poor electrical infrastructure and the need for urgent reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of communities across the state.
As the investigation into the cause of the power surge continues, the people of Karatudu are left grappling with their grief and seeking justice for the victims. The hope is that the authorities will take the necessary steps to fix the power issues in the region and prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
While the families of Johnson Atteh and Joshua Olatunde mourn their loss, the rest of the community is left to pick up the pieces. The event has left a deep scar in the hearts of the people, and for many, it will take a long time to recover from the trauma of the disaster.
The incident in Karatudu is a tragic reminder of the need for safer and more reliable electrical systems across Nigeria, especially in rural communities. As the authorities work to investigate and address the situation, the people of Karatudu hope that lessons will be learned and that no one else will have to suffer the same fate.
