An overloaded transformer located along Metro road in Uyo has exploded, resulting in the death of two awaiting-trial inmates at the Uyo Medium Custodial Centre (MCC) along the Wellington Bassey Way (Government House Road).
According to Leadership, two inmates were confirmed dead, while two prison officials were critically injured.
The transformer, which serves part of the Deputy Governor’s Lodge and the prison facility, had exploded, causing devastating aftershocks and damage worth billions of naira.
The explosion also affected another nearby transformer located along Effiong UdoAkpan street by the Wellington Bassey Way.
The state Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), confirmed the tragic passing of its two awaiting trial inmates, disclosing that the suspects were waiting to be arraign for alleged kidnapping and armed robbery before the unfortunate incident.
Speaking in an interview with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State council, on a fact finding mission to the Atan Offot, Uyo office of the Correctional Service, the State Controller of Corrections, Frank Okonkwo, said the Centre was the worst hit with other facilities severely destroyed.
He recalled that during the explosion, the two deceased victims were thrown up by the force of the explosion where they were sitting, but sadly died at the University of Uyo Teaching hospital (UUTH) where they rushed to.
“They died after administration of first aid by the doctor who later pronounced them dead,” Okonkwo, explained.
According to the Controller, though the victims were awaiting trial for conspiracy, kidnapping and armed robbing; they were presumed innocent until proven otherwise by the Court, describing the situation as very unfortunate.
He said the families have been contacted and one of them has concluded the processes of retrieving the corpse for burial, maintaining that the Command would only release the corpse upon completion of investigations.
“It was very unfortunate because the thing caused a lot of damage, both to our facility and the families of the deceased.
“When that explosion occurred at the transformer, officials of PHEDC came and said the explosion was as a result of too much voltage. The thing affected us in that it actually destroyed or damaged all electrical appliances, computers etc in our facility.
“It affected our Barracks as well, and even the official residence of the officer in -charge. But the most painful aspect of it was that it affected two of our inmates that finally lost their life as they were rushed to the hospital.
‘They were thrown off from where they were staying, and immediately our medical personnel administered first aid, and rushed them to the University of Uyo Teaching hospital, where they were later confirmed dead.
“It was a big loss, both to themselves and to the inmates especially when they were just awaiting trial, one of them was standing trial for conspiracy and kidnapping, the other one for armed robbery,” he stressed.
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