Condition Of Amputee Taraba Poly Student Worsens As He Loses Vision In One Eye
By Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The unfortunate case of Iorhee Saanmoyol Paul, a student at Taraba State Polytechnic in Jalingo, has taken a more distressing turn following his electrocution, which resulted in the amputation of both hands. Paul is now facing significant ocular challenges, having lost vision in one eye.
On May 21, 2025, Paul, a student in the Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, was electrocuted while attempting to hoist a flag for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) using an iron rod that inadvertently contacted a high-tension wire along Roadblock to ATC Road, near the entrance of the polytechnic in Jalingo.
He was initially taken to Girad Hospital in Magami, Jalingo, before being transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital within the Taraba State Specialist Hospital, where, after 28 days of intensive care, both hands were amputated on June 19, 2025, to save his life.
In an interview with our correspondent in Jalingo on Thursday, Paul expressed that following the amputation, he began experiencing severe eye complications, which have now resulted in the loss of vision in his left eye.
“After losing both hands, I believed my suffering had reached its peak, but now my eyesight is deteriorating. I have already lost one eye, and my remaining eye is not functioning properly. I am in excruciating pain and urgently require assistance. My contact number is +2348108338010,” he stated.
“I often wonder why I survived the electrocution. Had I not, my family would have moved on without me,” he lamented.
Paul expressed gratitude to Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas for his support, noting that a week after his discharge from the hospital, he received a sum of N500,000, which helped address the remaining wounds on his body. However, he mentioned ongoing difficulties in securing further assistance, stating, “I have been reaching out to the relevant person, but I keep receiving responses of ‘I will get back to you,’ which have not materialized.”
He appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas, the Taraba State Government, philanthropists, and compassionate Nigerians for urgent financial support for eye surgery and artificial hands to help him regain a semblance of normalcy in his life.
Previously, Paul had expressed appreciation to Governor Kefas for covering his medical expenses from the incident until the amputation; however, he noted the lack of proper rehabilitation following his ordeal.
When approached for comment, Dr. Danga, a personal physician to Governor Agbu Kefas, acknowledged the situation, stating that while government processes can be slow, they would address the challenges faced by Paul.
It is important to recall that Paul was hoisting the PDP flag in preparation for President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Taraba for the Taraba Investment Summit, TARAVEST, when this tragic incident occurred.
