Two teenage siblings, whose identities are yet to be determined, tragically died after stepping on an exposed electricity cable in the Barracks area of Satellite Town, Lagos State.
The cable, owned by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, fell to the ground on Saturday afternoon, but attempts to repair it were unsuccessful.
According to Sources, the incident occurred on Sunday. A resident named Afeez reported that the siblings, aged 13 and 15, were on their way to a nearby shop to buy an item when they accidentally stepped on the cable. Afeez stated that the children were electrocuted and efforts to revive them were unsuccessful.
The resident said, “A 415 cable belonging to the Eko Electricity Distribution Company fell at about 3:45 pm on Saturday. When the residents in the area discovered this, they immediately moved to get it fixed by reaching out to the officials of the company at Onireke Barracks but there was no response from them. They had to leave it there till the following day.
“Meanwhile, two children of the same parents who were sent on an errand mistakenly stepped on the cable on Sunday and were electrocuted on the spot. Those who rushed to the scene tried to revive them before taking them to the hospital where they were confirmed dead.”
The incident was said to have been reported at the Onireke police station.
Another resident, Tolu Ayeni, said the incident sparked protest in the community on Monday.
“The youths and some leaders in the community trooped out this morning to protest the death of the children. They also took the protest to the office of the EKEDC. The zonal manager of the company has been invited by the police for questioning.”
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said he was not aware of the incident.
“I am not aware. I will get back to you as soon as I get any information on that,” he said.