Nigerian Police Launch Investigation Into Electrocution Of Four Family Members In Taraba. Our Correspondent

The Nigeria Police Force has commenced investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of family of four, electrocuted around Dinyavo area of Jalingo, in Taraba State.

It was learnt that the cause of the incident that happened around 11am on Monday was suspected to be a power surge.

A neighbour, Boniface Musa, told PUNCH that, “I was sitting in front of my apartment when my neighbour started shouting ‘fire, fire ’fire’. When I turned, I saw that the transformer in our area caught fire.

“I quickly turned off electronic appliances and my gas cooker. I didn’t know my neighbours were inside. I saw the last child of the family outside shouting my mummy, my mummy! and their apartment burning.“We broke into their apartment and gained access to the room; that was when we saw their lifeless body on the floor.”

However, the Taraba State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Abdullahi Usman, who confirmed the electrocution on Monday, identified the victims as Remond Ofonbuk, Mfonbong Remond, Hevean Remond and First Remond.

He said; “At about 11am on Monday, we were reliably informed that a house located at Dinyavoh area of Jalingo was on fire. Detectives from GRA Police Division were quickly deployed to the scene and, on arrival, found the four victims with burns suspected to be from electrocution.

“The victims are Remond Ofonbuk, 44, his wife, Mfonbong Remond, Hevean Remond, 15, and First Remond, 13 years old. We have received information indicating that immediately power was restored, the transformer serving the area blew up.

“We learnt that many houses within the neighbourhood experienced high electric voltage which might have led to the fire outbreak that inflicted burns on the victims.

“Our detectives quickly evacuated the victims to Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo for treatment but they were confirmed dead on arrival.

“The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo for autopsy while investigation is on to ascertain the actual cause of the incident,” the statement added.