Lagos APC member electrocuted in flooding

A member of the All Progressives Congress , Alhaji Lateef Ajikanle, has been electrocuted in his home on Bolaji Omupo Street , Somolu.

The father of four reportedly returned home after prayers in a mosque to meet his compound flooded .

It was gathered that the flood was worsened by the rubble of a collapsed fence owned by a poultry farmer on an adjoining street , Lisabi Street

PUNCH Metro learnt that the Oyo State indigene waded through the flood. He was reportedly picking rubbish in the water when he was electrocuted .

A neighbour , who attempted to rescue him was also reportedly electrocuted , but escaped death by a whisker.

Officials of the Ikeja Electric , Onipanu Business District , were said to have been alerted to the incident .

After power was disconnected from the community , Lateef, who also worked with the State Universal Basic Education Board, was reportedly rushed to a general hospital where he was confirmed dead .

His younger sister, Monsuru Ajikanle , told punch correspondent on Sunday that the 50- year - old was preparing to participate in the last Saturday ’ s local government election when tragedy struck .

She said, “ He went to the mosque that day. The rain started early in the morning and everywhere was flooded . He was coming back from the mosque around 7 am when he saw that the fence owned by the poultry farmer on the next street had collapsed on the pumping machine in our compound.

“ Also , the flood water could not flow out and there were waste paper and other dirty materials everywhere . He started picking the rubbish from the water . He was doing that when his hand touched the live wire exposed after the fence fell on the pumping machine . He was electrocuted .

“ One of our neighbours , Femi , ran into the flood to help him , but the electric current in the water forced him back . We called the Ikeja Electric to disconnect the power .”

Monsuru told punch correspondent that Lateef was rushed to the General Hospital, Somolu , where he was confirmed dead.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the victim ’ s wife had been taken to their family house in the Surulere area .

Punch

correspondent was told that Lateef worked in the Supply and Finance Department of SUBEB, Somolu.

Another family member, Dele Alakija , blamed the owner of the poultry for the incident.

Alakija said, “ The poultry is on Lisabi Street , and the fence that collapsed was built by the owner to separate the poultry from our compound . We had reported to the local government about a year ago that the man’ s operation was making life difficult for us and he should relocate , but nothing was done.

“ Alhaji ( Lateef) had written a letter which we planned to submit on the menace of the poultry. When the fence fell on the pumping machine , it exposed a live wire from the machine and that was what killed him . The poultry should cease operation . The offensive stench of the birds and the noise from the generator are unbearable.”

Punch correspondent learnt that the incident was reported to the police at the Somolu division .

A check on the Facebook page of the deceased showed he was indeed a staunch member of the APC as some friends paid tributes to his memories and leadership .

Among his last activities on the social media was the poster of the chairmanship candidate of the APC in Surulere.

A top source at the General Hospital , Somolu , confirmed the incident , adding that Lateef was brought in dead.

“ A 50- year - old man was brought by some neighbours . They claimed that he stepped on a live cable during the heavy rain and was electrocuted . He was brought in dead, ” he said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer , ASP Olarinde Famous- Cole , said the police were not aware of the incident.

“ Nothing like that at Somolu division please , ” he said.

The Head , Corporate Communications , Ikeja Electric , Felix Ofulue , said the company was not to blame for the death .

He said, “ The man was electrocuted by his pumping machine . His pumping machine had a wire cut which fell into a pool of water . He was raking the dirt in his house when he was electrocuted .”

Punch