Undergraduate, five others electrocuted

SIX persons, including a student of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) were electrocuted in Mushin during the spontaneous celebrations ushering in the New Year last Sunday.

They were killed after some youths threw firecrackers at a transformer, triggering a spark that severed a high-tension cable from a pole.

The victims were part of a Muslim congregation participating in a crossover vigil organised by Temidayo Central Mosque on Ogunmokun Street.

The late Wasiu Adio Apesin, who was a 300-Level Statistics student of OOU in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, returned from school on Saturday and went to the mosque for the vigil.

The Nation gathered that the victims assembled on Adedoja Street, opposite the mosque, to participate in the vigil. The transformer is on Asaoku Street, which is about 500 metres from the mosque. The sparks shot through the high-tension wire to the pole opposite the mosque and severed the cable.

Four people died on the spot where the cable fell. Two died during the struggle to detach the energised cable from the victims.

The Nation learnt that seven people were injured. They include 16-year-old Lawal Adeyemo, who resides near the mosque, and a 60-year-old man simply identified as Mr. Olalekan, who is said to be in a coma at Gbagada General Hospital.

Reliving the incident on his sickbed, Adeyemo, who was injured on his back and leg, described his escape as miraculous.

He said: “There was no space in the mosque, because it was filled to capacity during the vigil. Some of us, who could not get space, spread our prayer mats on Adedoja Street, which is directly opposite the mosque to participate in the prayers.

“We were in the middle of the prayers when we suddenly noticed electric sparks from the high-tension cable above. Before I could get up to run away, I was caught up. I felt a loud bang. It was as if a large building had collapsed on us. That was the last thing I knew. I opened my eyes and discovered that I was in the hospital. I don’t know how I escaped from being electrocuted. Everything is still like a dream.”

An eyewitness, Muritala Salaudeen, told our correspondent that the electric sparks were caused by some youths who threw firecrackers at one another on Asaoku Street.

Salaudeen said: “Some youths engaged themselves in extreme celebration by throwing firecrackers at one another to mark the beginning of the New Year. Two of them riding on motorcycle came out from nowhere and started throwing the bangers indiscriminately. Some of the fireworks hit the transformer, which triggered the electric sparks.

“It was like lightning. The cable got severed and fell on the people gathering underneath, killing six of them. We saw about seven people who sustained injuries. When the youths discovered their action had wreaked havoc, they all disappeared.”

The late Wasiu was buried on Sunday at Agege Cemetery, it was learnt. His father, Alhaji Jamiu looked distraught when The Nation visited the family residence at 23 Baale Street in Ilasamaja, yesterday. Sympathisers were streaming in to condole with the bereaved family.

The late Wasiu’s mother was inconsolable. She sat helplessly with a group of sympathisers. In tears, she shook her head repeatedly, bemoaning her fate. Later, she was supported to relax on the bed by some women.

Turning to our reporter, Alhaji Jamiu said: “What do you expect me to say in this situation, Mr. Journalist? See, this is a Muslim family. As a result of that, we have accepted our fate. I am not ready to talk about the incident. I can’t discuss with you; except you have magic wand to wake up the dead. If you can’t do this, please take your leave. I appreciate your concern.”

The mosque Secretary, Mr. Abdulrazak Idowu, described the incident as regrettable. He dissociated the mosque from the incident, saying a victim was a member of the mosque.

He said: “It is wrong for anyone to associate the incident with our mosque. Most of the victims could have been Muslims.”