Policeman electrocuted in Abuja

Lasaka Habila, a chief superintendent of police (CSP), has been electrocuted in the federal capital territory (FCT).

The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the death in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to FEMA, the police officer died while cutting branches off a tree opposite the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Garki, Abuja.

He was said to have been rushed to the National Hospital by FEMA officials, where he was confirmed dead.

“At the scene of the tragedy was a cutlass seen lying around the tree after the incident, [said] to have been used by the victim to cut down branches from the tree which were seen littered around the scene,” it read.

“It is also believed that the victim may have been electrocuted by a high voltage from the high tension wire close to the tree.

“The victim who was seen stuck on the tree was eventually brought down by the Search and Rescue team of FEMA.”

Idriss Abbas, director-general of FEMA advised FCT residents to always seek approval from the parks and recreation department before cutting down any tree, instead of taking laws into their own hands.

The FEMA boss also added that in the rainy season, most trees would bloom and come in contact with electricity cables which may transmit high currents through leaves and branches.

He, therefore, warned Abuja residents to “avoid coming in contact with trees planted close to high tension cables and other electrical installations to avoid being electrocuted, as one may not know whether the tree is carrying a live electrical current which could be harmful to the individual.”