NERC warns against touching victims of electrical shock
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued a public safety advisory warning Nigerians to keep away from live electrical sources and to avoid touching anyone still in contact with electricity, stressing that a well-meaning rescue attempt can turn deadly in seconds. 
In the advisory, NERC warns against touching victims of electrical shock and urges residents to maintain a safe distance from exposed wires, fallen lines and any person trapped in electrical contact, while immediately alerting the appropriate electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) and emergency responders. 
NERC’s message is blunt because the risk is real: when someone is still being shocked, their body can conduct current. If a bystander grabs them with bare hands, the current may pass into the rescuer too. This is why NERC warns against touching victims of electrical shock and insists on breaking the power connection first, not rushing into direct contact. 
What NERC said and the steps it listed
In the guidance circulated by the regulator, NERC warns against touching victims of electrical shock and outlines practical steps Nigerians should take when an electrocution incident occurs:
• Hands off: Do not touch the live wire, and do not touch the victim directly. 
• Stand back: Keep a safe distance and ensure others do the same. 
• Call professionals: Notify your DisCo and emergency services immediately. 
The advisory also reinforces a basic rule many people forget in panic: if a wire is down or sparking, treat it as live. That is the logic behind why NERC warns against touching victims of electrical shock and wants Nigerians to prioritise isolation of power over physical contact. 
Why “don’t touch” is the difference between rescue and tragedy
Electrical incidents often happen in public places: near poles, on streets after rainstorms, in compounds with faulty wiring, or around makeshift connections. In those moments, instinct pushes people to rush in. But medical and safety guidance is consistent: do not touch a person who is still in contact with the electrical current. 
That’s why NERC warns against touching victims of electrical shock. The first job is to stop the current: switch off power at the breaker if it is safe, or get the DisCo to isolate supply. If you cannot cut the power, keep distance and call for help. 
https://ogelenews.ng/nerc-warns-against-touching-victims
What to do instead: safe response in plain language
NERC’s advisory is not telling Nigerians to abandon victims. It is telling Nigerians to rescue without creating more victims. Here is the safe sequence, aligned with the regulator’s guidance and standard first-aid practice:
1. Assess from a distance. Look for fallen wires, sparking, humming sounds, or contact with metal fences and wet ground. 
2. Do not touch the victim or wire. This is the core warning: NERC warns against touching victims of electrical shock because current may still be flowing. 
3. Call the DisCo and emergency responders. NERC provides a “report an accident” channel and directs the public to contact the DisCo responsible for the area. 
4. Only when power is confirmed off, trained responders or informed helpers can move the person, and CPR/first aid can begin if needed. 
If the incident involves high-voltage lines, the safest guidance is even stricter: stay far away until the power authority confirms shutdown. 
The wider context: electrocution is not rare
NERC has repeatedly expressed concern about electrocution incidents in Nigeria’s electricity industry, including past regulatory actions warning operators and threatening sanctions over recurring electrocution cases. 
So when NERC warns against touching victims of electrical shock, it sits inside a broader safety push: fewer avoidable deaths, faster reporting, and more accountability for unsafe networks and preventable hazards.
What Nigerians should also watch for at home and on the street
Beyond emergency response, NERC warns against touching victims of electrical shock as part of a larger caution around everyday exposure. Common danger points include:
• Fallen lines after rain or wind
• Exposed household wiring and overloaded sockets
• Illegal connections and tampering with distribution equipment
• Wet environments where electricity can travel more easily across surfaces 
In many communities, the risk increases when residents attempt quick fixes on their own. NERC’s position is clear: alert professionals.
Bottom line
NERC warns against touching victims of electrical shock because electrical accidents can escalate instantly, turning rescuers into casualties. The safest public response is to keep distance, stop the power source through the proper channel, and call professionals. 
https://punchng.com/nerc-warns-against-touching-victims-of-electrical-shock
