The assistant pastor of the church that owns a billboard connected to the electrocution that killed five persons in the Rumuosi neighbourhood of Obiri-Kwere in the state’s Obio/Akpor Local Government Area has been detained, according to the Rivers State Police Command.
It was reported that nine men died from electrocution after touching a high-tension cable while building a metal billboard for the new-generation church.
Four of them were taken for treatment to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital while the other five died instantly.
The state police public relations officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrest to journalists on Tuesday.
Iringe-Koko said, “Yes, I can confirm that the assistant pastor of the Church has been arrested.
“He is in the custody of the China Police Division as we speak. An investigation is still ongoing.”
Additionally, on Tuesday, representatives of the Rivers State Signage and Advertising Agency locked the church.
The billboard stand that was remained at the electrocution scene along the Obiri-Kwere portion of the East-West Road was also blocked off, and the two areas had been taped off.
No consent was given, according to Managing Director of the RSAA, Dr. Anthony Okeah, for the erection of the billboard.
He issued a strong warning to anyone using this type of outdoor advertising without the agency’s consent, stating that defaulters will face consequences.
“If you must practise advertisement, you must go the right way. You must be certified and you must abide by the rules and regulations of the signage agency,” he said.
It was also gathered that the four injured individuals who were taken to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, have been discharged.
