Ten people, including a man, his wife, and child, were said to have been killed on following a transformer explotion in the Kabong area of Jos metropolis.
But the Plateau state police command, while confirming the incident, said six people died in the unfortunate incident.
Also about 25 shops were said to have been gutted by fire following the incident which occurred in the early hours of Saturday.
It was gathered that the explosion was triggered when one of the high- tension wires snapped and fell on the transformer serving the areas.
The transformer exploded into fire, which spread to nearby shops and residential apartments, razing every available item within reach, especially electronic gadgets like sound systems, fridges, fans, and air conditioners
Some of the victims were said to have died on the spot, while others were said to have given up the ghost at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Plateau state police command, Alfred Alabo, said that six persons were killed.
He said the explosion was suspected to have been caused by a power surge.
“We are carrying out an investigation to know the real cause of the incident, but we suspect that it must have been caused by a power surge,” he said.
The Jos Electricity Distribution Company has expressed sympathy to families of those who loss their lives.
In a statement on Saturday, the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Friday Adakole, said the command was saddend over the unfortunate incident.
The statement said, “Jos Electricity Distribution Plc is anguished by the unfortunate incident at about 0313 hours today, affecting customers on our Kabong primary distribution transformer in the Kabong area, Rukuba Road, Jos.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the accident was a result of a high-tension line snap onto the low-tension lines which resulted in a voltage supply outside limits.
“The source feeder tripped off and inter-tripped the transmission end source from Makeri Transmission Station.
“We will continue to be monitoring the situation closely and communicate the facts of this regrettable incident.
“Equally, an evaluation of the root causes is underway, and appropriate measures will be put in place to avert future occurrences.
“We express our deepest sympathies to families who have encountered losses as a result of this incident.
“We are grateful to traditional and community leaders in the area for all their support in managing the effects of the accident”.
