In a somber turn of events, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the apprehension of the assistant pastor affiliated with the church linked to the fatal electrocution incident that claimed the lives of five individuals in the Rumuosi area of Obiri-Kwere, situated within the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The tragedy unfolded on Monday when nine men found themselves electrocuted as they endeavored to install a metal billboard for a new-generation church. The harrowing mishap occurred upon contact with a high-tension cable.Regrettably, five of the victims succumbed immediately, while the remaining four were expeditiously transported to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for urgent medical attention. In an exclusive exchange with our correspondent, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, formally confirmed the detention of the assistant pastor on Tuesday.According to Iringe-Koko, “I can affirm that the assistant pastor of the church has been taken into custody. Presently, he is under the supervision of the China Police Division. An ongoing investigation continues to shed light on the matter.”Furthermore, the Rivers State Signage and Advertising Agency, in a decisive move, proceeded to seal the church premises in question. Also subject to closure was the ill-fated billboard stand which remained at the scene of the unfortunate electrocution incident along the Obiri-Kwere stretch of the East-West Road. Both locations have been effectively cordoned off with cautionary tape.Speaking on behalf of the agency, Dr. Anthony Okeah, the Managing Director of the RSAA, affirmed that no official authorization had been granted for the installation of the ill-fated billboard. Dr. Okeah sternly cautioned against unauthorized outdoor advertising activities, warning that stringent measures would be imposed upon any party found culpable of such transgressions.”If one is to engage in the practice of advertisement, it is imperative to follow the prescribed protocol. Certification and adherence to the signage agency’s established rules and regulations are mandatory,” Dr. Okeah emphasized.Meanwhile, our correspondent who undertook a visit to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital on Tuesday ascertained that the four individuals who sustained injuries in the incident had since been discharged from the healthcare facility, marking a slightly optimistic turn amidst the tragic event.