The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has launched a full-scale investigation into the tragic electrocution incident in Gombe State that led to the death of five individuals, including the Permanent Secretary for Special Duties and Regional Coordination, Mr. Yusuf Kulani. Thirteen others are currently receiving treatment for varying degrees of injuries sustained during the accident.
The incident occurred on June 15, 2025, in the Tudun Wada Pantami area of Gombe State and has since sparked outrage across the Riyel community. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations point to a snapped high-tension power line that made contact with low-tension wires, triggering an uncontrolled surge of electricity through the local distribution network. This surge reportedly entered residential homes, causing extensive damage to appliances and delivering fatal electric shocks.
In response, NEMSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Aliyu Tukur, promptly dispatched a technical investigation team led by Engr. Tajudeen Alabi to the site in line with the agency’s mandate under the Electricity Act 2023.
A statement from NEMSA’s Head of Communications and Protocol, Ama Umoren, revealed early findings that identified a structural failure of a wooden cross-arm support on an 11kV line as the primary cause. This failure allowed the red phase conductor to detach and make dangerous contact with nearby infrastructure.
The investigation uncovered several long-standing systemic issues in the distribution network, including:
- Use of aged, untreated wooden cross-arms
- Poorly maintained low-tension conductors
- Lack of essential safety devices like circuit breakers in consumer installations
- Inadequate clearances between high-voltage lines and residential buildings
- A failed protection and tripping unit at the Riyel Injection Substation due to non-functional battery banks
Significantly, NEMSA criticized the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (Jos Disco) for negligence, stating that the accident was preventable. The agency referenced a formal warning issued on April 30, 2025, highlighting critical defects within the Gombe distribution network and urging immediate corrective action—warnings which NEMSA said were ignored.
“Electricity is inherently hazardous,” the agency stated. “It must be handled with utmost caution to prevent tragedies like this. Sadly, this avoidable accident underscores the dire need for improved maintenance and compliance across our power infrastructure.”
As investigations continue, NEMSA assures the public that it will hold all responsible parties accountable while working to enforce stricter safety standards to prevent future occurrence.
