Onitsha: Three Men Electrocuted as Iron Pole Falls on Power Line
Three men have died after an iron pole they were trying to erect for a water tank fell onto an 11kV overhead electricity line in Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State.
The incident occurred on Monday, October 19, 2026, at No. 123, Old Port Harcourt Road, where the victims were part of a contractor’s team engaged to carry out borehole drilling work at a two-storey building.
Sources said the men were attempting to erect the iron pole when it fell onto the overhead electricity line, resulting in their immediate electrocution.
The deceased were identified as Chukwudi Ukwa, Frank Okafor and Somadina Nwabuike.
Their bodies were subsequently taken to the General Hospital in Onitsha by police officers attached to the Fegge Division.
The owner of the building, identified as Mr Steven, was reportedly assisting the police with their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Reacting to the tragedy, FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited warned residents and construction workers about the dangers of carrying out installation and construction activities close to overhead power lines without appropriate safety precautions.
The company’s Head of Communications, Izunna Okafor, said metal objects that come into contact with live electricity lines could conduct current and cause fatal electrocution, even when those handling them did not directly touch the wires.
He said the company would continue its electricity safety awareness campaigns in markets, motor parks, schools, streets and communities across Anambra State to discourage dangerous activities around electricity infrastructure.
Okafor also warned against unauthorised buildings, trading stalls, canopies, scaffolding and water tank installations within electricity line corridors.
He cautioned residents against handling long metal objects near overhead power lines.
The company urged residents to report hazardous activities and encroachment on electricity line corridors to the relevant authorities to prevent further accidents and loss of lives.
