By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Residents of Adabale Street in Oworonshoki, Lagos, have issued a fresh call for urgent intervention over dangerously leaning electricity poles, which they say pose an immediate threat to lives and property.
The community, under the banner of the Oworonshoki Electricity Forum, submitted a formal petition to the Divisional Police Officer of the Oworonshoki Division, alleging negligence on the part of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC). The petition specifically cites the precarious state of electricity poles at Nos. 4 and 6 Adabale Street.
According to the group, heavy rains on May 20 worsened the situation, causing one of the poles to sway violently, thereby placing undue tension on the live wires attached to it.
“We have been reporting this particular pole for over a year,” said Seun Gbogboade, the forum’s coordinator. “Despite several complaints and follow-up visits to the IKEDC office at Gbagada, no concrete steps have been taken. The community remains at risk due to broken promises and inaction.”
The group expressed deep concern for children living in the vicinity, particularly at No. 4 Adabale Street, a multi-tenant building housing more than 20 children who often play near the unstable infrastructure.
Citing previous tragedies in the area, the forum referenced a fire incident on Oworo Road in 2023, sparked by a faulty electricity pole, and a deadly electrocution on Onabanjo Street nearly 15 years ago that resulted in the deaths of eight residents when a downed wire triggered a blaze.
“These past tragedies are a grim reminder of the deadly consequences of neglecting basic electrical infrastructure,” Gbogboade warned. “We cannot afford another loss. If IKEDC fails to act and another tragedy strikes, they must be held accountable.”
The forum is calling on the Nigeria Police to summon IKEDC for questioning and compel the replacement of at least three compromised poles along Adabale Street.
With the rainy season intensifying, residents are urging swift and decisive action to prevent what they describe as a looming, avoidable disaster.