Panic As Power Surge K!lls Two People, Destroys Properties In Kaduna Community

Tragedy hit the Karatudu community in Ungwar Romi, Kaduna State, after a high-voltage power surge claimed the lives of two residents.

The incident which occurred on Tuesday, August 25, 2025 also destroyed several houses and properties.

The fire, which resulted from the power surge, was linked to a fault in the Kaduna Electric feeder that affected the transformer supplying Karatudu New Extension.

The victims, Elder Johnson Babatunde Atteh (pictured) and a boy were electrocuted in their homes.

The spokesperson of Kaduna Police Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, told The Guardian that the police had not yet received a formal report on the incident.

"We are yet to receive the report on the incident in Karatudu New Extension. Once we receive the report, we are going to investigate the cause of the fire, the d3ath of the victims, and the destruction to properties. Be sure that I will get back to you once we find out; and I assure you that it will be thoroughly investigated,” Hassan said.

One affected resident, Mr Sam Ajoga of Chikun Street, confirmed that the surge occurred around 9:00 p.m.

"The surge from the electricity fire caused the d3ath of two persons who were instantly electrocuted,” he said.

“The high voltage burnt some electric cables, some buildings, and destroyed many electronics. Sadly, Elder Johnson Babatunde Atteh, a native of Kogi State, was electrocuted in his room while trying to switch off a deep freezer. Also, a young boy, Joshua, was electrocuted as he was trying to plug his phone."

Ajoga added that he was at a church service when neighbours called to inform him that his house was on fire.

“I could not salvage my properties. The only thing I brought out were my certificates,” he said.

A relation of the late Elder Atteh, Chief Oyibo Atteh, blamed Kaduna Electric for negligence.

“The death was tragic and shocking, more so coming from the high negligence of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company that did nothing to repair the transformer after several reports of the faults from residents,” he said.

According to him, representatives of the company later visited the family to offer condolences and promised to investigate the cause of the surge.

A senior official of the Kaduna Electric, who was part of the condolence visit but requested anonymity, admitted that the problem emanated from a faulty feeder.

"Yesterday, when electricity was restored, there was a problem from the feeder supplying the area, which caused serious damage to the transformer. The high voltage entered people’s houses and the fire that occurred destroyed properties,” he said.