Residents of Jos are wondering whether the Jos Electricity Distribution Plc will take responsibility for the six lives lost to electrocution when a faulty power line of the Jos Electricity Distribution Plc., JED, at Kabong community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau on Saturday brought tragedy to homes and business premises.
In the community, pained residents and business owners ran out at night to find homes and shops on fire.
They could not sleep through the early morning hours as they ran around to see if anyone could be saved or burning property could be salvaged. In groups they gathered, lamenting the fatal and painful development as others raised curses on JED and its officials.
It is not clear whether a class action suit would be filed against the utility for the tragedy.
The faulty line emitted sparks and electrocuted the victims in their various homes at about 3 a.m., just as it razed houses and shops in the community.
Istifanu John, sole administrator of the Jos North Local Government Council, who visited the scene, described it as very unfortunate.
He said the accident inflicted other losses on the state and called on the JED to fix all faults that might have triggered the nightmare.
“This is pathetic because it is an avoidable situation.
“Those that lost their lives didn’t go anywhere to look for trouble; they died in their homes.
“As government, we are pained by this development.
“We call on JED to ensure that all faulty power sources are fixed to avoid this monumental loss in the future,” he said.
Mr John condoled with the bereaved families and called on residents to be wary about they use of electric appliances.
In his remarks, spokesman of the traders association in the community, Solomon Odidi, said seven shops were razed.
Mr Odidi blamed the incident on erratic power, supplied by the JED only at night.
He commended the Plateau Fire Service for its timely response, which he said minimised the number of casualties and staved further damages.
Mr Odidi appealed to government to support the bereaved families and those whose properties were destroyed in the accident.
● Main report by NAN, with contributions by Everyday.ng