Ekiti Plunged Into Darkness After Storm Destroys Poles

Rainstorm on Friday night wreaked havoc on many communities in Ado Ekiti and other towns in Ekiti State, causing damage to electricity poles which resulted in power outage.

The high-tension cables on the affected poles connected the 132/133 KVA power substation in Omisanjana and neighbouring towns of Ikere, Ise and Emure, according to report.

Sources said the communities affected by the blackout included Ajebamidele, Omisanjana, Atlas all in Ado Ekiti, Ikere Ekiti, Ise Ekiti and Emure Ekiti.

A source said a downpour which swept across the neighbourhoods on Friday night and in the early hours of Saturday left many of the residents stranded, disrupting traffic, social and economic activities.

She said, “The rain which started on a peaceful note few minutes before 5pm on Friday ceased briefly before it started again at about 6pm, accompanied by violent storms which brought down not less than six electric poles made of concrete.

“The affected poles were brought down by the rainstorm within the vicinity of Deeper Life Campground in Ajebamidele, which is a densely populated neighbourhood in the Ekiti State capital.

The main access road which starts from the Ado-Ikere Highway and terminates at Omisanjana has been blocked by the fallen electric poles.

The hitherto busy road, which was constructed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration has been deserted as a result of the development.

Shortly after the rain ceased, some officials of Benin Electricity Distribution Company visited the scene on Saturday to access the damaged poles ahead of a possible rescue mission.