Fallen High-Tension Wire Causes Fire, Kills Man in Kwara

Tragedy struck in Ilorin, Kwara State, in the early hours of Tuesday when a 30-year-old man, Olabosun Isiaka, lost his life in a fire caused by a snapped high-tension electricity wire.

The incident occurred between 4am and 5am in the Yakuba area, where a high-tension wire supplying power to the neighbourhood reportedly snapped after showing signs of imminent collapse. Residents claimed the faulty wire had been reported to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company office in Ilorin, but no action was taken before it gave way.

The snapped wire fell onto four other connected lines, sparking a fire that quickly spread to nearby buildings. As residents scrambled to salvage their belongings and prevent further destruction, a struggle ensued to remove fuses in a bid to cut off electricity. It was during this effort that Isiaka was caught in the fire and died.

The deceased, a graduate of Kwara State Polytechnic, had only completed his mandatory National Youth Service Corps programme in December. His younger brother also sustained burns to his leg while trying to escape the inferno and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The incident was reported to the Oke-Oyi Police Division, while Isiaka’s remains were later moved to a mortuary in Oyun after his parents arrived from Lagos.

Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Fire Service stated that the fire was caused by a fallen high-tension wire, adding that the situation had been addressed. According to the service, the wire was fixed by IBEDC staff on April 7, 2026.

Residents and sympathisers have since called for justice, urging relevant authorities to hold those found culpable accountable.