The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has launched an investigation into a tragic electrical accident in Gombe State that claimed five lives and injured 13 others. The incident occurred on June 14, 2025, in the Tudun Wada Pantami area, after a snapped high-tension power line made contact with low-tension wires, causing an uncontrolled surge of electricity sparks.

In a statement issued on Sunday by NEMSA’s Head of Communications and Protocol Unit, Mrs. Ama Umoren, the agency’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir, immediately ordered a thorough technical investigation into the incident. “On getting the information, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NEMSA, Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir, FNSE, FNIPE, immediately ordered a thorough technical investigation of the tragic incident in Tudun Wada, Gombe State,” Umoren said.

Umoren stated that preliminary findings revealed the incident was triggered by a structural failure of a high-tension wooden cross-arm support, which led to the detachment of the red phase high-tension conductor. This conductor made direct contact with a low-voltage line below, causing a dangerous voltage surge into residential houses. Ama Umoren noted that the investigation uncovered several systemic and infrastructure-related issues, including the use of aged, untreated/deteriorated wooden cross arms in the distribution network and absence of standard protective devices in consumer installations.

Ama Umoren further explained that the failure of Jos Electricity Distribution Company to carry out regular maintenance on the network led to the avoidable accident. “From the report of the preliminary investigation, it can be said that this is an unfortunate but preventable incident had the Jos DISCO heeded previous warnings from NEMSA to rectify and correct observed faults on the network,” she said. Ama Umoren added that NEMSA had written to Jos DISCO on April 30, 2025, drawing their attention to defects observed on the networks within Gombe metropolis, which posed a great risk to safety of lives and property.

NEMSA has called on utility companies to ensure regular maintenance of their networks and advised Nigerians to avoid staying under power lines, erecting buildings under power lines, or doing any form of business under power lines. “Electricity is associated with hazards. These hazards are real. They can even affect the personnel working in the electricity sector, so we need to use electricity safely and wisely,” Ama Umoren warned.

The agency will work closely with Jos Electricity Distribution Company and other stakeholders to ensure the replacement of dilapidated infrastructure, enforce the installation of proper protective devices, and conduct thorough safety inspections across the distribution network.