A lethal power surge on Sunday, May 25, 2025, in the Rukuba Road community of Jos North LGA, Plateau State, claimed the life of 19-year-old undergraduate Funom Edison and devastated property worth millions of naira. The surge occurred around 11 a.m. shortly after electricity was restored by the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) following a prolonged outage.
Eyewitnesses described a sudden burst of sparks that ignited appliances, meters, and even electrical poles. Resident Mrs. Joy Okpara-Uba, who lost a deep freezer and other devices, said:
“The whole room filled with thick smoke. Neighbours fought to control the flames, but many of us lost nearly everything.”
Another resident, Madam Ether Eche, narrowly escaped electrocution while attempting to unplug devices.
“Before I could reach the control box, fire had already engulfed it. We ran outside and called for help as other meters caught light,” she recalled.
Tragically, Funom Edison—active leader of the ECWA Teenage Church Center—was electrocuted in his home and died two hours after church service. His mother, who tried to call an electrician first, arrived to find her son unresponsive despite neighbours cutting power. Edison’s funeral took place on Thursday, May 29.
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The Plateau State Government, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, has initiated on-site assessments. Commissioner Peter Nyam Gai visited victims and assured residents of support:
“We will intervene to ensure everyone affected by this disaster receives justice and support,” he said.
As survivors salvage what remains, calls are growing for JEDC to review infrastructure, install surge protectors, and implement emergency response protocols. The incident highlights the urgent need for reliable power restoration practices to safeguard lives and livelihoods.
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