Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed a tragic electrical fire explosion that killed three people, including an officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and a pregnant woman, in Okrika town, Okrika Local Government Area.
The fire, which erupted during the early hours of yesterday, was reportedly triggered by an electrical surge following the restoration of power supply by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHED.
Police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the telephone, said investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire.
“A total of three fatalities have been recorded so far, while several others sustained varying degrees of burns. The command has commenced a full investigation into the matter,” Iringe-Koko said.
Survivors and eyewitnesses blamed PHED for negligence, explaining that the electricity was restored at a dangerously high voltage, causing sparks and explosions in several buildings.
Justina Moses, a farmer and mother of five who narrowly escaped the incident, said, “The NDLEA officer was electrocuted while trying to switch off his connection. Sparks flew from the fuse box and started the fire. I lost everything, my home, money, and property. My children and I now sleep outside.”
Another resident, Micah Akpan, described how the fire escalated despite desperate efforts to extinguish it. “We tried using water and detergent, but the fire only worsened. PHED didn’t cut the power in time. This could have been avoided.”
Families of the victims pleaded for urgent government support, with many now homeless and without access to basic relief.
The community called on PHED and emergency agencies to respond with aid and accountability.
Meanwhile, environmental activist and Executive Director of the Youth and Environmental Advocacy Centre, YEAC-Nigeria, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, has called for a professional probe. “We must investigate this properly. Many homes in the area have substandard wiring and are vulnerable to such surges.”
He also advised residents to engage licensed electricians and upgrade poor electrical systems to prevent future tragedies.
