From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
A middle-aged man has been electrocuted while attempting to vandalize Jos Electricity Distribution Company, (JEDC) transformer and cables in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The young man who is yet- to- be- identified was seen dead at the early hours of yesterday electrocuted by the transformer located opposite Queens Hotel, Ankpa ward, Makurdi.
Witnesses said the vandal’s lifeless body seen in between the two poles connecting the cables to the transformer mounted closed to the main road.
It was gathered that the suspect allegedly went to the transformer at about 3am yesterday and succeeded in using his pliers to cut off the cables from the transformer.
Luck however,ran out on him when he was rolling the cables from the transformer stand before climbing the poles to finally pulled out the wires and suddenly power supply was restored.
A witness Timothy Ejeh, said the victim took advantage of non availability of power supply to the area since last Sunday Night.
Ejeh explained that the unknown vandal had already vandalized the transformer and the armoured cables that linked the two poles before he met his untimely death.
He said, “We woke up this morning at about 5am and we discovered that there was electricity supply in and around some residences and streets close to our area but not sharing same transformer with us.
“So few of our neighbours decided to go towards our transformer to check if the fault is from the transformer. On getting to the site, we saw that all the armoured cables and other installations have been removed from the transformer. As we move forward, we saw someone lying lifeless.
“We immediately drew the attention of policemen at the “D” Division police station. They have come to evacuate the dead body.”
He warned people especially youths in the state to desist from such nefarious act and engage in meaningful ventures that would add value to their lives rather than taking to criminality that could cause their instant death.
The Head, Corporate Communications, JEDC, Adakole Elijah confirmed the incidence saying that a vandal was found electrocuted at the early hours of the morning at DMTV substation, Naka road, Makurdi.
He lamented that the incident was the second time in the last 20 to 30 days that vandals were electrocuted in Makurdi, stating that the activities of vandals have become a thorn in the fresh of the company’s body.
Adakole said despite that the company has devised a means to ensure that some of their assets are protected, vandals have continued to sabotage efforts of the company.
He said it has become practically impossible for the company to single handedly take responsibility of protecting these assets alone.
“That is why we are advising and pleading with communities to take ownership of electricity facilities in their domains because at the end of the day it is them that the facility is serving.
“You will realize that each time they vandalize our facility, we spend lots of monies to restore services and they go back to vandalize again.
“Yes the assets belong to the company,but the communities are the end users. Once these facilities are vandalized, the communities stand at risk in terms of security, social and economic gains. So, we keep on pleading with people especially community policing, vigilantes to assist in safeguarding the assets.
“As you can see, the vandal obviously came to vandalize the facility including the cables and other accessories then in the process there was restoration of power supply which led to his being electrocuted.
“So we are escalating the matter to the security agencies and other relevant authorities so that we can do evacuation and then continue with our normal stable power supply in the area.”
The Communication chief who noted that power supply especially within Makurdi, the Benue State capital has improved recently advised people against going close to electricity installations and urged them to report any suspicious activity in and around transformers to security agencies for possible arrest.
He said, “If you see anybody going towards electricity installations either a transformer or cables trying to remove or install anything, ensure that you ask pertinent questions. If you are not too sure, you have a right to arrest that person and hand him or her over to the nearest police station. Even if the person is claiming to be a staff ask of his identification card.”
The Benue State command Police Public Relations Officer SP Catherine Anene, also confirmed the incidence saying it was reported to the police.