Titus Eleweke I Saturday, May 23. 2026
AWKA, Anambra – A popular newspaper vendor at Aroma Junction Awka in Anambra State, Mrs. Nancy Onyebuchi Okafor, has thanked God for sparing her life after she narrowly escaped electrocution at her business premises.
Mrs. Okafor, while narrating her ordeal, said the incident occurred when an electricity facility belonging to First Power Distribution Company sparked violently, leaving her with burns on parts of her body.
According to her, the experience was horrifying and nearly claimed her life.
“Honestly, I was electrocuted. I thank God that I survived the fire spark. The spark hit me and I became unconscious. When I regained consciousness, I discovered that I had sustained burns on my body and hands,” she said.
She explained that after regaining consciousness, she initially thought she had suffered a stroke because her mouth and tongue became twisted and difficult to control.
Mrs. Okafor, who continuously expressed gratitude to God for preserving her life, said the pains from the incident still remain despite her recovery.
“I was eventually able to recover, but it was difficult for me to even sit up afterward. I suddenly heard a loud spark and the fire fell on me. I was not close to or standing directly under the wire. The distance was about 20 feet away. It was a terrible experience,” she added.
Recounting further, Mrs. Okafor disclosed that another man who was standing close to her was also struck by the electric spark and sustained injuries.
She noted that sparks from the electricity wire had occurred on several occasions in the area, but described the latest incident as the worst she had ever witnessed.
“I have operated at this location for over ten years and the wire sparks occasionally. But this particular one was the heaviest of them all. Even the manager of the filling station nearby said the electric shock affected the ground within the filling station,” she stated.
According to her, it was later discovered that the problem originated from the Nawfia axis.
Mrs. Okafor further revealed that officials of the First Power Distribution Company later visited the scene after the incident.
“The officials came to see us, but by then, the man who was badly affected had already gone home for treatment,” she said.
Expressing gratitude once again, she said surviving the incident was a miracle.
“We truly thank God that we survived and are still alive. It is a thing of joy and gratitude that we escaped such a horrible incident, although the pains are still there,” she added.
When asked whether she felt comfortable operating around electricity wires passing through the area, Mrs. Okafor responded with concern.
“How can I be comfortable?” she asked. Describing the situation as extremely dangerous, she said that the outcome could have been far worse if the live wire had fallen directly to the ground.
“If the wire had touched the ground, the two of us would not have been the only victims. Many people would have been affected. There could probably have been multiple casualties,” she said.
