Faulty Transformer Explosion Claims Lives of Two Uyo Prison Inmates

A devastating explosion from a malfunctioning transformer has killed two individuals awaiting trial at the Uyo Correctional Centre in Akwa Ibom State. The tragic incident, which occurred on Thursday, has cast a pall over the facility and raised serious questions about infrastructure safety.

Official Confirmation and Cause of the Tragedy

Mr. Frank Okonkwo, the Controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) for Akwa Ibom State, confirmed the grim details to journalists in Uyo. He stated unequivocally that the blast was triggered by a faulty electricity transformer located near the custodial centre.

“The impact of the faulty transformer also injured two staff members of the centre and damaged some electrical appliances,” Okonkwo added, highlighting the wider repercussions of the failure.

A Chain of Catastrophic Events

Providing a timeline, the Controller explained that the catastrophe began two weeks prior with an initial explosion at the transformer. This event caused a high-voltage wire to snap and fall onto a section of the NCoS facility, resulting in a total blackout.

The situation turned fatal on Thursday. “During that explosion, the two deceased victims were thrown up from where they were seated,” Okonkwo recounted. “They were later confirmed dead by doctors at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.” The violent nature of the incident underscores the immense power involved.

Grief and a Call for Action

Mr. Okonkwo described the event as profoundly unfortunate and painful for the service. “We are mostly pained that the explosion led to the death of two of our inmates. It is quite painful,” he expressed, conveying the somber mood within the correctional center.

In the wake of the tragedy, he issued a urgent plea to the relevant authorities. “We urge the relevant authorities to address the issue around the faulty transformer to forestall any tragic incident in the future,” the controller emphasized. This call to action is a critical step to prevent a repeat of such a preventable disaster. The NCoS has confirmed that the families of the deceased have been contacted.

Source: Original report on the Uyo custodial centre incident.