A senior policeman, Lasaka Habila, has been electrocuted while attempting to cut leaves from a tree in the Garki area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In the incident that occurred opposite the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Garki on Sunday, the Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) was said to be cutting leaves using a cutlass when he suddenly began to dangle from the tree.
The search and rescue team of the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was said to have brought down and rushed Habila to the National Hospital, Abuja, where he was confirmed dead by doctors.
A high tension wire close to the tree is believed to have caused the policeman’s electrocution, witnesses said.
Read Also: Fear grips Ondo varsity as lecturer slumps, dies mysteriously
Reacting to the incident, Director-General, FEMA, Alhaji Idriss Abbas expressed sadness at Habila’s demise.
He said the incident has further underscored the need for residents to obtain permission from the FCT Parks and Recreation Department before felling any tree in the FCT.
Abbas also noted that in this period of rainy season, most trees would bloom and come in contact with electricity cables which may transmit high currents through the leaves and branches.
The FEMA boss, therefore, warned residents to avoid coming in contact with trees planted close to high tension cables and other electrical instillations 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.