Three men electrocuted to death in Onitsha

Three men have been electrocuted to death in Onitsha, Anambra State, after an iron pole they were attempting to erect for a water tank fell onto an 11kV electricity line.

DAILY POST gathered that the incident occurred on Monday, October 19, 2026, at No. 123, Old Port Harcourt Road, Fegge, Onitsha.

Sources said the incident occurred while the victims were working at a compound where the owner of a two-storey building had engaged a contractor to sink a borehole.

The victims reportedly arrived at the premises as part of the contractor’s team and were attempting to erect the iron pole when it fell onto the overhead electricity line, electrocuting all three men instantly.

“Their bodies were subsequently taken to the General Hospital, Onitsha, by police officers from the Fegge Division.

“The building owner, identified as Mr Steven, was said to be assisting the police with their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy,” a source said.

The men were identified as Chukwudi Ukwa, Frank Okafor and Somadina Nwabuike.

Reacting to the incident, FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited expressed concern over the deaths, describing the incident as a reminder of the dangers of carrying out construction and installation work close to overhead electricity lines without observing the required safety precautions.

Head of Communications, FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company, Mr Izunna Okafor, in a statement, said, “Metal objects that come into contact with energised electricity lines could conduct current and cause fatal electrocution, even when those handling them do not deliberately touch the wires.

“We will continue to conduct electricity safety awareness campaigns in markets, motor parks, streets, schools and communities across Anambra State to discourage dangerous activities around electricity infrastructure.

“Electricity line corridors are not safe spaces for unauthorised buildings, trading stalls, canopies, scaffolding, water tanks or the handling of long metal objects.”

The company also called on residents to report hazardous activities and encroachment on electricity line corridors before they result in further loss of lives.