Fresh Safety Alarm as Ikeja Electric Worker Is Electrocuted on Duty

A staff member of Ikeja Electric has reportedly suffered severe electrocution while carrying out an operation, raising fresh concerns over the safety of electricity workers and members of the public around power distribution infrastructure.

Raw footage obtained from the scene showed the injured worker receiving emergency assistance shortly after the incident. A source familiar with the situation said he was subsequently rushed to Gbagada General Hospital for medical attention.

The source further disclosed that the worker sustained severe burns, particularly around his abdominal region. His current medical condition could not be independently confirmed at the time of filing this report, while the exact circumstances that led to the electrocution also remain unclear.

The incident has, however, renewed public concern over the condition and safety of electrical infrastructure within communities served by the distribution company. Residents and members of the public are calling on Ikeja Electric to urgently investigate the incident, establish what went wrong and take appropriate measures to prevent a recurrence.

Concerns have also been raised about transformers, electricity poles, cables and associated infrastructure reportedly showing signs of deterioration in some locations. Residents fear that where such facilities are damaged, unstable or poorly maintained, they could expose electricity workers, residents, traders, motorists and other road users to potentially fatal accidents.

In May 2019, The Guardian Nigeria reported that an Ikeja Electric employee identified as Afeez was also electrocuted while carrying out a power disconnection operation in Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State. According to the report, electricity was suddenly restored while he was working on the installation, resulting in injuries that led to the loss of his arm. Ikeja Electric subsequently confirmed that he survived and said an inquiry had been initiated to prevent a recurrence.

The company had earlier publicly emphasised its commitment to preventing electrocution and other electrical accidents through its safety programme, which placed particular emphasis on eliminating injuries to employees, contractors, customers and members of surrounding communities.

Members of the public are therefore urging Ikeja Electric and relevant electricity-sector regulators to treat the latest reported incident as a serious occupational and public safety matter rather than an isolated accident.

They are calling for a comprehensive inspection of the affected infrastructure, an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the electrocution, enforcement of appropriate safety procedures for field personnel and immediate repairs or replacement of any electrical installations found to pose a danger.

As of the time of filing this report, Ikeja Electric had not been independently confirmed to have issued an official statement on the reported incident.