The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended the assistant pastor of the church associated with the billboard responsible for the electrocution of five individuals in the Rumuosi region of Obiri-Ikwere, located in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. The tragedy occurred when a high-tension cable was contacted by a metal billboard being installed by the victims for a new-generation church, resulting in the deaths of five out of nine individuals.
Four survivors were swiftly transported to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for medical treatment. Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police and spokesperson for the state Police Command, verified the pastor’s arrest, affirming that an investigation is underway.
In the wake of the incident, the church linked to the unauthorized billboard has been closed by the Rivers State Signage and Advertising Agency. Additionally, the billboard stand at the accident site, located along the Obiri-Ikwere stretch of the East-West Road, has been cordoned off with safety tape.
Dr. Anthony Okeah, Managing Director of the RSAA, expressed sympathy for the victims while clarifying that the individuals involved in the installation lacked approval from the agency. He emphasized the importance of adhering to proper procedures when engaging in outdoor advertising and warned against unauthorized activities, stating that the agency will take punitive measures against offenders.
The injured victims have been discharged from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, with one individual leaving immediately after being resuscitated. The whereabouts of the other three survivors remain unknown at this time.