An explosion from a faulty transformer located near the Akwa Ibom State Custodial Centre has reportedly killed two inmates who were awaiting trial and injured two others.

Confirming the incident on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom State Controller of Corrections, Frank Okonkwo, described the incident as unfortunate.

He stated further that the explosion also damaged all electrical appliances at the centre, adding that the victims were thrown up from where they were sitting and were later rushed to the Uyo Teaching Hospital by the facility’s doctor, where they were pronounced dead.

According to him, the victims were awaiting trial for conspiracy, kidnapping, and armed robbery.

He noted, however, that they were presumed innocent until proven otherwise by the court.

He said the families had been contacted and that one of them had concluded the process for the retrieval of the corpse, adding that the command would only release the corpses upon completion of investigations.

His words; “It was very unfortunate, because the thing caused a lot of damage, both to our facility and the families of the deceased.

“When that explosion occurred at the transformer, officials of PHEDC came and said the explosion was a result of too much voltage. The thing affected us in that it actually destroyed or damaged all electrical appliances, computers, etc., in our facility.

“It affected our barracks as well, and even the official residence of the officer in charge. But the most painful aspect of it was that it affected two of our inmates, who finally lost their lives as they were rushed to the hospital.

“They were thrown off from where they were staying, and immediately our medical personnel administered first aid, and rushed them to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where they were later confirmed dead.

“It was a big loss, both to themselves and to the inmates, especially when they were just awaiting trial. One of them was standing trial for conspiracy and kidnapping, the other one for armed robbery.”

Okonkwo also recalled that the same transformer was faulty a few years back, while calling on the relevant authorities to address the issue to forestall a recurrence.

He added that the legal department was investigating the matter and would present a comprehensive report accordingly.