At least two people have died and several homes have been damaged after a high-voltage power surge triggered fires in the Karatudu community of Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
The victims, identified as 69-year-old Johnson Atteh and 16-year-old Joshua Olatunde, were electrocuted inside their homes. Atteh was attempting to switch off a refrigerator, while Olatunde was plugging in a mobile phone when the surge struck.
Residents blamed the tragedy on a faulty Kaduna Electric distribution line feeding the community transformer. They alleged negligence by the company, saying repeated complaints about the transformer had been ignored.
A relative of Atteh accused the company of responsibility. “This death was tragic and shocking, caused by Kaduna Electric’s negligence. Residents had reported the transformer faults many times, but nothing was done. While no money can replace a life, the company must show responsibility and assist the families,” the relative said.
Kaduna Electric dismissed the claims. Its Head of Corporate Communication, Abdullazeez Abdullahi, said lightning struck the transformer, sparking the surge.
“Our preliminary investigation shows houses with defective earthing and wiring were affected, while those with proper installations were not,” the company said. “The transformer was in good condition. We urge customers to always engage certified electricians to ensure safe wiring and earthing.”