Tragedy struck in Kaduna State’s Karatudu community when a high-voltage power surge claimed the lives of two residents, Johnson Atteh, 69, and Joshua Olatunde, 16.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, August 25, 2025, when a fault in the distribution line of the Kaduna Electric feeder affected the transformer supplying electricity to the area, resulting in a fire that damaged several houses.
The cause of the incident is disputed, with a relative of one of the deceased residents blaming Kaduna Electric for negligence, citing the company’s failure to repair the transformer despite several reports of faults.
Residents of the community are traumatised and in panic, with many electrical appliances destroyed.
A relative of the late Atteh demanded compensation for the loss of lives, emphasising the company’s responsibility for the incident.
However, Kaduna Electric attributed the incident to lightning striking the transformer, which affected houses with defective earthing and electrical works.
Kaduna Electric, however, sympathised with the families affected and advises customers to engage certified electrical contractors for wiring and earthing works to prevent similar incidents.
In a statement, the company’s Head of Corporate Communication, Abdullazeez Abdullahi, said that only houses with defective earthing were affected.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives as a result of an electrical incident in a Kaduna community. All of us at Kaduna Electric sympathise with the families that have lost loved ones. We pray that Almighty Allah comforts them.
“Our preliminary investigation thus far has revealed that the incident occured when lightning struck the transformer providing power supply to the community. As a result, houses with defective earthing and electrical works were affected.
“Those with proper wiring and earthing were not affected by the resultant power surge triggered by the lightning. The transformer was in good condition and not faulty as is widely claimed, ‘: the statement said.
It added, “we wish to use this opportunity to reiterate to our customers that it is important for customers to ensure they engage certified electrical contractors for their wiring and earthing works in their property to avoid damage due to incidents of power surges.”
The Kaduna Police Command is yet to receive a formal report on the incident but promised to investigate the cause of the fire, deaths, and destruction of properties once the report is received.
