Tragedy struck in Ondo city, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area of the state at the weekend, following the death of a middle aged man identified as an official of the Ondo Business District of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
The unfortunate incident which threw the whole area into mourning occurred at Tewogboye street, New Town area of the town, and has continued to generate controversy among members of the family of the deceased who suspected foul play about the untimely death of the victim.
The Hope reliably gathered that the deceased whose name was given as Adenodi Shama until his death was working as the Assistant Engineer II at the Okegbala Business District of the BEDC in the area.
According to a source close to the BEDC in the area, the late Shama was said to be on official duty to the area on the fateful day in company of other staff to connect a life wire that fell from an electric pole in the area before he met his untimely death.
It was gathered that the late BEDC official was said to have made contact with the power station of the company located at Awoyaya area of the town to switch-off the light before climbing the pole.
Shortly after climbing the pole, he was said to have been electrocuted. He was said to have been rushed to a private hospital located few meters away from the scene of the incident where he was later confirmed dead by the doctors.
When The Hope arrived at the scene of the incident, the late BEDC staff was seen in his own pool of blood, while other officials of the company and other sympathisers were seen milling around him shortly before his remains was taken away from the scene of the incident.
Also noticed was a long branded lether kept very close to an electric pole where the deceased was electrocuted, while a large number of sympathizers mainly students of Adeyemi College of Education were seen in groups discussing the development.
Members of the Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (ECAN) Ondo town branch as well as families of the deceased were seen crying and wailing at the scene.
Some residents of the area who spoke under condition of anonymity, described the incident as unfortunate, as they added that the late BEDC staff, a father of three had been the permanent customer of the people of the area especially those whose light were disconnected.
When contacted in his office, the Business Manager of the Ondo Business District BEDC, Engr. Chris Enuamaka, was not available for comment, as he was said to have travelled out of the town.
Meanwhile, a senior official of the electricity distribution company, who does not want his name mentioned, confirmed the incident and described the death as unfortunate.
He explained that the deceased who was an Assistant Engineer was in the area for an official assignment before the unfortunate incident.
He further explained that though he was not authorised to speak on the matter he promised that the company will soon release an official statement on the death of the victim.
Confirming the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Enuowa police station, Mr. Isikaye Ayodele, a Superintendent of Police, said about five officials of the BEDC have been invited for interrogation over the matter and they would be transferred to the appropriate section at the Ondo State Police Command as soon as investigation is completed on the matter.
