A devastating incident unfolded in Papalanto community, situated in the Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, as a nine-year-old boy lost his life in an electric transformer explosion on Wednesday, April 3.

The explosion tragically claimed the life of Jomiloju Taiwo, while his sister, seven-year-old Pipeloluwa Taiwo, suffered burns from the blast. Both children are the offspring of Mr. Taiwo Nicholas, a resident of the community.

The catastrophe struck around 1:33 pm when the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company restored power supply to the area following a prior outage. Moments after the power was reinstated, a deafening noise resonated, emanating from the electric transformer nearby.

The force of the explosion not only claimed young Jomiloju’s life but also caused extensive damage to Nicholas’ residence, situated mere feet away from the transformer.

Jomiloju and Pipeloluwa were discovered unconscious on the kitchen floor by their mother, who rushed to their aid upon hearing the explosion. Despite prompt efforts to seek medical attention, Jomiloju succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. Pipeloluwa, sustaining severe burns on her feet and hands, continues to receive medical treatment at a hospital.

This tragic incident adds to a string of recent electric-related fatalities in Ogun State, with a 15-year-old girl reportedly electrocuted in the Olomore Housing Estate in Abeokuta just days prior. The teenager’s demise occurred when she inadvertently made contact with a naked cable inside a well while fetching water on April 1, resulting in her immediate death.