A Staff of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has been electrocuted by high-tension cables in the line of duty, causing outrage among residents of Benin.

The deceased simply identified as Mr. Matthew Omofomwan was trying to carryout repair on one of transmission lines at about 1.p.m when the tragedy occurred on Thursday in Ugbowo, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.

Ugbowo Lagos road office by Mela Motel juncture in charge of the area was immediately shutdown by unidentified persons, amid fear of vandalism or reprisal by family members of the decease.

Also, residents of the area in a footage alleged that some officials of the power firm, disappeared after he was clinically pronounced dead in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (BEDC).

Investigation revealed that active Community citizens accompanied by the some police personnel attached to Okhoro Division, accompanied, took Mr. Omofomwan to UBTH for medical attention with branded BEDC vehicle after his co-workers who accompanied him to the field work had fled.

Sad bystanders and unidentified woman believed to be well known to late Omofomwan could be seen in a footage of how the power firm was abandoned after his death that was shared by a former Coordinator of Edo Civil society Organizations (EDOCSO’s), Leftist Omobude Agho, could be seen crying and lamenting the tragedy.

Contacted, Head, Corporate Affairs Department, BEDC, Mr. Adekunle Tayo, confirmed the incident.

He revealed that the victim is not BEDC staff and was on illegal duty.

“I have called the Business Manager in the area to confirm. He (the victim) is not BEDC staff and He was on illegal duty.

“It was BEDC vehicle that was patrol who saw him and took him to hospital for medical attention.

“If he was a staff they would have took permission for outage.

“When something lime this happens because it involves death, emotions overrun reasoning”, he said.

 60 total views