Electrocution incident: Police warn sand excavators to avoid electrical wires

Etim Ekpimah

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has warned tipper drivers and operators against digging sand near electrical cables, following the electrocution of a driver in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.

DSP Timfon John, Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command, said that on 17th October, 2025, at about 0830hrs, a report was received at the Ikot Ekpene Division from one Mr Peter ‘m’.

According to her, the man reported that his tipper driver, Mr Edu Obot ‘m’ (now deceased), was electrocuted while tipping sand under a high-tension wire at Utu Ikot Ekpenyong village, Ikot Ekpene LGA.

“Upon receipt of the report, police detectives immediately visited the scene, evacuated the corpse, and deposited it at the mortuary. The family of the deceased has been contacted, and a discreet investigation has commenced.

“This unfortunate incident highlights a severe and recurring public safety hazard; as such, the command uses this medium to issue a stern warning to all tipper drivers, sand excavators, and construction site managers to desist from the highly dangerous practice of operating under or near high-tension electrical wires.

“Electrocution is an immediate and fatal risk; the immense electrical power carried by these cables can arc or jump to machinery, especially at close range, with lethal consequences,” she stated.

John added that to prevent further loss of life, the command advises the truck drivers/operators to always survey the environment, inspect the site for overhead electrical lines, pylons, and other potential hazards, maintain a safe distance, be vigilant and obey all warning signs in and around work areas, safety is non-negotiable, as no amount of convenience or expediency is worth the risk of human life.

She noted that the command under the leadership of CP Baba Mohammad Azare remains committed to the protection of lives and property.

She added, “We urge all stakeholders in the transport and construction industries to prioritise safety to avoid such preventable tragedies.”

Meanwhile, the police debunked a report that armed men raided a student lodge, abducted 15 students and carted away valuable properties in Ikot Ekpene.

John stated that the incident was not an abduction by unknown gunmen, adding that no student was abducted from the lodge.

She said, “It is imperative to set the record straight and reassure the general public that the operation in question was a lawfully conducted exercise by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Office.

“For clarity, the command on October 24, 2025, at about 0430hrs, received a distress call alleging an armed robbery operation at Ikot Uboh Village, Ikot Ekpene. In a swift response, our teams were mobilised and deployed tactically to the scene, cordoning off the area to engage the supposed threat.

“Upon arrival at the scene and subsequent professional challenge by our officers, it was established that the operatives at the location were from the EFCC, conducting a sanctioned operation. Some persons were arrested by the EFCC during this operation and not abducted as claimed by the media reports.”

She, however, opined that while the police acknowledged the vital role of the press in society, they urged journalists and media houses to verify facts with the Police Command before publishing stories of that nature, as inaccurate reporting could cause unnecessary panic.

John explained that the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, Baba Mohammad Azare, has commended the officers involved for their professional conduct and restraint, which averted a potential ugly incident.

“CP Azare also urges all law enforcement agencies to always notify and synergise with the Police as the lead security agency in the state when carrying out operations within our Area of Responsibility (AOR) to prevent such mix-ups.

“Our doors are always open to journalists and members of the public who seek to verify any security-related information,” she said.

The Command remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors in Akwa Ibom State.