By Ephraim Emmanuel
The family of Christian Kpabeke has called on the Rivers State government and security agencies to intervene following the mystery surrounding his whereabouts and sudden death after he reported for night duty at the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED).
Kpabeke, a technician with PHED, was last seen by his family on Sunday, September 27, when he left home for work following an emergency call from his superiors regarding power outages along the East-West Road.
According to family sources, Kpabeke reportedly suffered a fatal electric shock while working on a high-voltage power cable line during his shift. However, his family says the distribution company failed to notify them of the incident or disclose where his body was taken.
Speaking to reporters, his wife, Beauty Kpabeke, expressed grief and anger over how the company handled the situation, explaining that she only learned of her husband’s death when two of his colleagues visited her residence on Monday, September 28.
“My husband got a call from his superiors on Sunday evening to report to work following power issues, and he told his superior he would come in after dinner,” she said. “That was the last time I heard from my husband—a man who was not sick. PHED should account for his whereabouts. Who will take care of me and our only son?”
She further questioned why the management of PHED allegedly moved her husband’s body to a mortuary without informing his immediate family or involving them in the process.
When contacted, the management of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company stated that an official inquiry into the incident is currently underway.
Speaking on behalf of the company, PHED Public Relations Officer Bukky Ilebare confirmed that the matter is under investigation and assured the public that the findings would be disclosed once concluded.
