Electrician Dies By Electrocution In Lagos While Reconnecting Power Cables

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the death of a 45-year-old electrician who tragically lost his life after being electrocuted while attempting to reconnect power cables to an electric pole in the Shasha area of Lagos State. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, August 10, at about 11:30 a.m., has once again raised concerns over safety practices among electrical workers and the dangers associated with handling live wires without adequate precaution.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that detectives were immediately dispatched to the scene after the matter was reported. According to him, the victim was rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital but was unfortunately confirmed dead by the attending medical doctor.

“The electrician lost his life while reconnecting electricity cables to an electric pole at Shasha,” Hundeyin stated. He further added that an investigation into the incident had commenced to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Eyewitnesses in Shasha described the atmosphere as tense during the incident, as residents rushed to the scene upon realizing that the electrician had suffered a severe electric shock. According to local accounts, the man had climbed the pole in an attempt to reconnect electricity cables when he suddenly made contact with a live wire.

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Despite efforts to rescue him, the electric current was too powerful. Community members quickly alerted authorities, and police officers arrived to ensure order while the victim was rushed for medical attention. Sadly, he was declared dead shortly after.

Residents of the area expressed deep shock over the incident, noting that the victim was a well-known electrician who had worked in the neighborhood for years. Some lamented that cases of electrocution are not uncommon in parts of Lagos, where artisans sometimes take risks by working on live wires without proper protective gear or notifying power distribution companies.

CSP Hundeyin emphasized that the Lagos State Police Command is committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. According to him, detectives are currently gathering information to establish whether the deceased was officially authorized to carry out the reconnection or if it was an independent effort without clearance from relevant authorities.

The investigation will also focus on whether safety protocols were breached and if negligence may have contributed to the tragic outcome. The PPRO assured the public that findings from the probe would be made public once concluded.

The incident has brought renewed attention to the dangers faced by electricians and technicians who work with high-voltage electricity in Lagos and across Nigeria. Reports of electrocution, both among professionals and untrained individuals attempting unauthorized electrical reconnections, have continued to make headlines.

Experts note that many cases of fatal electrocution are preventable if strict safety procedures are followed. These include switching off power supplies during repair work, wearing protective gear, using proper equipment, and obtaining clearance from electricity distribution companies before climbing electric poles.

Unfortunately, in several communities, particularly in urban areas like Lagos, residents sometimes resort to unauthorized reconnections when faced with prolonged power outages or disconnections. This increases the risk of electrocution, not only for the individuals involved but also for bystanders who may be exposed to live wires.

In Shasha, residents mourned the victim’s death, describing him as a hardworking family man. Some community members, however, criticized the increasing tendency of people to carry out electrical reconnections without involving licensed professionals or officials from power distribution companies.

A resident who spoke under anonymity noted, “It is very sad. This man was skilled, but many times electricians still take shortcuts. Electricity is dangerous, and no one should attempt reconnections without ensuring the power is shut off. Now a family has lost their breadwinner.”

The tragic death has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety rules and greater public awareness campaigns on the hazards of unsafe electrical practices.

Analysts believe the incident underscores the urgent need for regulatory authorities and electricity distribution companies to intensify safety campaigns and inspections. There have been suggestions that electricians in Nigeria should undergo regular safety certification programs to reduce fatalities linked to electrocution.

Public safety advocates have also urged communities to avoid engaging unauthorized electricians for reconnection services, stressing that the risks far outweigh any potential savings. By involving official electricity providers, risks can be minimized, and lives protected.

The death of the 45-year-old electrician in Shasha serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with working on live electrical lines without strict adherence to safety protocols. While the Lagos State Police Command has launched an investigation into the matter, residents and experts alike continue to call for improved safety practices, stricter enforcement, and heightened public education on the risks of electricity-related accidents.

As the victim’s family mourns the devastating loss, the larger community is left with a sobering lesson: electricity remains a vital but dangerous utility, and utmost caution must always be observed when handling it.