By Isiaka OYIBO, Lokoja
TEARS flowed freely Friday  evening in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital following the electrocution of an 18 year-old girl, Hanatu Saraki,during the disconnections of power lines by debtors of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) within the metropolis.

An eyewitness told Vanguard that the PHCN officials, who were on mass disconnection of power lines of defaulters, carelessly left one of the high-tension wires dangling on the pole at the completion of the exercise.
It was at this point the naked cable started having contacts, causing loud electrical sparks in the neighbourhood.
This culminated in huge balls of flames from the nearby transformer, with untold effect on homes within the vicinity.

In the ensuing confusion, the confused and helpless Hanatu who had just returned from school rushed out apparently looking for help.
But when help was not available, she ran inside in an attempt to put off some of the appliances in the house but was later found dead shortly after near the kitchen fridge presupposing that the charged refrigerator may have electrocuted her to death.

When Saturday Vanguard visited the family of the deceased at their Adankolo residence, the mangled body of Hanatu was seen lying in the sitting room due to the high intensity of the electrical shock.

All attempts to get comments from the Lokoja district Manager of PHCN and its officials  proved abortive as they were said to have fled their offices for fear of the unknown