Three men have reportedly died from electrocution in Onitsha, Anambra State, after an iron pole they were attempting to erect for a water tank fell onto an 11-kilovolt (11kV) overhead electricity line.
The incident occurred on Monday, October 19, 2026, at No. 123, Port Harcourt Road, Fegge, Onitsha, where the owner of a two-storey building had engaged a contractor to drill a borehole.
The victims, identified as Chukwudi Ukwa, Frank Okafor and Somadina Nwabuike, were reportedly members of the contractor’s team working at the premises when the tragedy occurred.
According to reports, the men were attempting to erect an iron pole for the water tank when it fell onto the overhead power line, resulting in their immediate electrocution.
Police officers from the Fegge Division subsequently evacuated the bodies to the General Hospital, Onitsha.
The owner of the building, identified as Mr Steven, was said to be assisting the police with investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Reacting to the tragedy, FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited expressed concern over the loss of lives, describing the incident as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with construction and installation work near overhead electricity lines.
In a statement signed by its Head of Communications, Izunna Okafor, the company warned property owners, contractors and artisans against carrying out construction activities or handling long metal objects close to electricity infrastructure without observing the required safety precautions.
The company explained that metal objects that come into contact with live electricity wires could conduct electric current and cause fatal injuries, even when those handling them do not directly touch the wires.
FirstPower noted that it had continued to conduct electricity safety awareness campaigns across markets, motor parks, streets, schools and communities in Anambra State to educate residents on the dangers of activities around power installations.
According to the company, the campaigns target traders operating beneath high-tension lines, commercial tricycle operators loading passengers near electricity infrastructure and residents undertaking construction work close to power installations.
It stressed that electricity line corridors should not be used for unauthorised buildings, trading stalls, canopies, scaffolding, water tanks or activities involving long metal objects.
The electricity distribution company urged property owners to ensure that contractors engaged for borehole drilling, building construction, roofing and water tank installation properly assess their work environments for electrical hazards before commencing operations.
It also advised contractors and artisans to maintain the prescribed safety distances from overhead conductors and seek appropriate professional guidance before lifting or erecting metal poles near power lines.
Members of the public were further cautioned against touching fallen electricity wires or attempting to move objects in contact with live power lines.
Residents were advised to keep a safe distance from affected areas and promptly report suspected electrical hazards to FirstPower or the appropriate emergency authorities.
The company extended its condolences to the families, friends and associates of the deceased, urging residents to take electricity safety warnings seriously.
It added that it would sustain its public sensitisation campaigns and collaborate with relevant authorities and communities to prevent dangerous activities around electricity installations.
FirstPower also called on residents to report hazardous activities and encroachment on electricity line corridors to prevent similar incidents and further loss of lives.
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