A PERMANENT Secretary in the Gombe State Civil Service and four other people were electrocuted, while 13 others sustained varying degrees of injuries, following a high-voltage surge of electricity supply in the early hours of Saturday.
Muhammad Yusuf Kulani was the Permanent Secretary at the state’s Ministry of Special Duties and Regional Integration.
Neighbours said late Kulani was electrocuted while opening the gate of his house, located at the Tudun Wadan Pantami area of Gombe Metropolis.
At the time of the incident, the deceased was with his daughter, who survived the incident, but currently on admission at a hospital.
The permanent secretary and the four other victims have been buried according to Islamic rites.
Confirming the incident, the Gombe State Police Command said it occurred at the Tudun Wadan Pantami area of Gombe Metropolis.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Buhari Abdullahi, said the tragic event was as a result of a high-voltage surge from a nearby electricity transformer.
He said that upon receiving the report, officers from the Low-cost Divisional Police Headquarters promptly visited the scene to secure the area and evacuate the victims to hospital for medical attention.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the unfortunate incident claimed the lives of five people, while 13 others sustained various degrees of injuries. The injured victims are currently receiving medical attention at different health facilities in the state,” he said.
DSP Abdullahi assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted to ascertain the cause of the surge and ensure accountability where necessary.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm and cooperate with emergency and investigation teams as efforts are being made to prevent future occurrences,” he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident.
In a statement by his spokesman, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the governor described the incident as heartbreaking and a colossal loss, “not only to the immediate families of the deceased, but to the entire Gombe State.
“I received with profound sadness the devastating news of the tragic electrocution incident that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, in Tudun Wadan Pantami, which led to the death of five individuals and left several others injured.
“This heart-wrenching incident, reportedly caused by a high-voltage surge from a nearby electricity transformer, has plunged our state into mourning.
“The demise of Alhaji Yusuf Kulani and others in such a devastating incident is deeply painful. Kulani was a diligent, disciplined, and patriotic officer who served our dear state with integrity and commitment. The loss of such valuable lives, including other promising citizens, is a painful blow not only to their immediate families but to the entire Gombe State.
“Let me assure the affected families and the general public that we will collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure a thorough investigation into the root cause of this tragedy and take all appropriate measures to prevent such heartbreaking incidents from recurring.
“On behalf of the government and people of Gombe State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives in this tragic event. May Allah grant the souls of the deceased eternal rest in Aljannat Firdaus and give their families the fortitude to bear the huge loss. I also pray for the quick and full recovery of those who sustained injuries,” the governor said.