The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has launched a full-scale investigation into the tragic electrical accident that killed five people and injured 13 others in the Tudun Wada Pantami area of Gombe State on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Among the dead was the Permanent Secretary for Special Duties and Regional Coordination in Gombe State, Mr. Yusuf Kulani. The incident, which occurred around 12:45 a.m., was reportedly caused by a snapped high-tension cable that fell onto low-tension lines, leading to a dangerous power surge across the local distribution network.
The Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) confirmed the accident, describing it as a “deeply unfortunate” incident in a statement signed by its acting Head of Corporate Communications, Saratu Aliyu-Dauda.
The company said it was closely monitoring the situation amid growing community tension.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, June 22, 2025, NEMSA blamed the tragedy on avoidable infrastructure failures and the negligence of the Jos DISCO.
Head, Communications and Protocol Unit, Mrs. Ama Umoren in a statemrnt indicated that a high-tension wooden cross-arm failed structurally, allowing a live wire to fall onto a low-voltage line, sending a lethal current into residential homes.
The agency’s preliminary report, based on an on-site investigation team led by Engr. Tajudeen Alabi, revealed several system-wide lapses to include use of untreated, deteriorating wooden cross-arms in the network, absence of protective devices like circuit breakers and RCDs in consumer homes and poorly maintained substations and outdated infrastructure
Others according to the statement are vegetation encroachment on overhead lines and failure of protection systems at Riyel Injection Substation due to a non-functional battery bank
NEMSA noted that the Jos DISCO had previously been warned of the dangers lurking in its Gombe distribution infrastructure.
In a letter dated April 30, 2025, referenced NEMSA/TS/TS&IS/IFO-BAU/097/V.1, the agency advised the utility company to address multiple faults in the Gombe network. That warning, the agency said, was ignored.
“This is a tragic but preventable incident,” said NEMSA. “Had Jos DISCO acted on earlier warnings and carried out necessary maintenance, this unfortunate event could have been avoided.”
While commiserating with the families of the deceased and the government of Gombe State, NEMSA called on all electricity distribution companies to conduct regular maintenance and prioritize safety.
“Electricity is inherently hazardous. These hazards must be respected. We renew our call to Nigerians to avoid living or doing business directly under power lines,” the statement read.
NEMSA has pledged to work closely with Jos DISCO and other stakeholders to replace deteriorated infrastructure in affected areas, enforce the installation of protective electrical devices in buildings and conduct comprehensive safety inspections across the Gombe distribution network
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring safety across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
