An artisan has been electrocuted while working on the roof of a shopping plaza in Aba, Abia State, throwing the area into confusion.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening around the Ehi Road axis of the city shortly after heavy rainfall, according to eyewitness accounts.
The victim, whose name had yet to be established, was reportedly engaged to remove weeds from the roof when he slipped on the wet surface and fell against live electricity cables supplying the building.
An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, said the artisan screamed after making contact with the exposed wires while electricity supply was still active.
The incident attracted residents and passers-by to the shopping centre, where people reportedly gathered as the news of the worker’s death spread.
The circumstances surrounding the electrical installation and the proximity of the power cables to the building could not immediately be independently established.
Some residents who visited the scene urged owners of buildings and relevant authorities to pay closer attention to the positioning of electricity lines around commercial and residential properties.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Abia State Government nor the police had issued an official statement on the incident or confirmed the identity of the deceased.
