The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has issued strong safety warning to tipper drivers and sand excavators, following the electrocution of a tipper driver in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.

According to a statement from the Command, the tragic incident occurred on October 17, 2025, at about 8:30 a.m., when a driver, Mr. Edu Obot, was electrocuted while tipping sand under a high-tension power line at Utu Ikot Ekpenyong Village.

The incident was reported to Ikot Ekpene Police Division by the vehicle’s owner identified as Mr. Peter, who disclosed that the driver lost his life instantly when the raised bucket of the tipper made contact with the overhead cables.

Police detectives immediately visited the scene, evacuated the body, and deposited it at a nearby mortuary.

The family of the deceased has been informed, while investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Describing the occurrence as “a preventable tragedy,” the Command warned all tipper drivers, site operators, and construction workers to avoid tipping or operating machinery beneath electrical wires.

“Electrocution is an immediate and fatal risk,” the statement emphasized.

“The immense electrical power carried by electric cables can conduct energy in the machinery, especially at close range, with lethal consequences.”

To prevent further loss of life, the police advised operators to survey their environment before tipping, maintain safe distances from high-tension lines, and adhere strictly to safety protocols at all times.

Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammad Azare, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, urging transport and construction industry stakeholders to make safety their top priority.

“No amount of convenience or urgency is worth the risk of a human life,” the Command cautioned.