Man electrocuted while trying to vandalise transformer in Awka

By Obinna Unaeze

It was a case of instant justice for a yet-to-be identified vandal as he was electrocuted while trying to vandalize a transformer substation at Ogechukwu Street, in Awka, the capital of Anambra State.

“The yet-to-be-identified individual was immediately electrocuted in the process,” FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (FPEDL) said while confirming the incident in a statement by its head of Communications, Mr Izunna Okafor in Awka on Tuesday.

Okafor said the unfortunate incident occurred in the early hours of Feb. 24, at Ogechukwu Street, Awka, involving the electrocution of a suspected vandal.

According to him, the action of the vandal who was dressed in security uniform set off large explosion at the substation.

“Preliminary reports indicate that a heavy explosion was recorded at a transformer substation within the area.

“Upon further assessment, it was discovered that the explosion resulted from unlawful tampering with FirstPower’s electricity network infrastructure by a suspected vandal dressed in security uniform.

Okafor said that the Anambra Police Command was contacted over the incident, adding that the victim’s corpse had been evacuated from the scene.

He said that the police had launched investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Also, the statement quoted the Managing Director, FPEDL, Mr Okechukwu Okafor, to have condemned acts of vandalism and energy theft in Anambra state.

Okafor pointed out that the menace had continued to undermine efforts to provide stable and reliable electricity to customers across the state.

According to him, beyond the significant financial losses and service disruptions caused by such criminal activities, they also endanger the lives of perpetrators and innocent members of the public.

He appealed to residents and community leaders to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activity around electricity installations in their vicinity to FirstPower on 08161652465, WhatsApp or SMS, or to the nearest security agency.

“Protecting power infrastructure is a collective responsibility, and community cooperation remains vital in safeguarding assets meant to serve the public good,” he said.

The FPEDL boss said that FirstPower remained committed to delivering safe, efficient, and improved electricity services to customers.

He also said that the company would continue to collaborate with security agencies and stakeholders to curb vandalism and ensure adequate protection of its network facilities.

(NAN))