Onitsha: Three Men Electrocuted While Installing Water Tank Pole

Three men have lost their lives in Onitsha after an iron pole they were erecting for a water tank came into contact with a high-voltage electricity line, prompting renewed safety warnings.

Three men, identified as Chukwudi Ukwa, Frank Okafor and Somadina Nwabuike, have died from electrocution in Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State, after an iron pole they were erecting for a water tank fell onto an 11kV overhead electricity line.

Three men have died from electrocution in Onitsha, Anambra State, after an iron pole they were attempting to erect for a water tank fell onto an 11kV overhead electricity line.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, October 19, 2026, at No. 123, Old Port Harcourt Road, Fegge, Onitsha.

Sources said the victims were part of a team engaged by a contractor to work at a compound where the owner of a two-storey building had commissioned a borehole project.

The men were reportedly attempting to erect the iron pole for the water tank when it fell onto the overhead electricity line, electrocuting all three of them.

Their bodies were subsequently taken to the General Hospital, Onitsha, by police officers attached to the Fegge Division.

The building owner, identified as Mr Steven, was said to be assisting the police with investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The deceased were identified as Chukwudi Ukwa, Frank Okafor and Somadina Nwabuike.

Reacting to the tragedy, FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited expressed concern over the deaths, warning residents and construction workers about the dangers of carrying out installation work close to overhead electricity lines without appropriate safety precautions.

The company’s Head of Communications, Mr Izunna Okafor, said metal objects that come into contact with live electricity lines could conduct current and cause fatal electrocution, even when the handlers do not deliberately touch the wires.

He said the company would continue to conduct electricity safety awareness campaigns in markets, motor parks, streets, schools and communities across Anambra State to discourage dangerous activities around electricity infrastructure.

According to him, electricity line corridors are not safe spaces for unauthorised buildings, trading stalls, canopies, scaffolding, water tanks or the handling of long metal objects.

The company also urged residents to report hazardous activities and encroachment on electricity line corridors to help prevent similar incidents and further loss of lives.