A middle-aged man, whose identity remains unknown, was electrocuted early Tuesday while attempting to vandalise a transformer and cables belonging to the Jos Electricity Distribution Company, JED, in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. The incident took place opposite Queens Hotel in Ankpa Ward.
Residents of the area awoke to the shocking sight of the man’s lifeless body hanging between two poles that connected cables to the transformer. The discovery was made around 5 am, following the unexpected restoration of power in the area.
A local resident, Terkula, recounted that the victim appeared to have taken advantage of a power outage to carry out the act. However, he met his tragic end when electricity was suddenly restored.
“We woke up this morning and noticed that electricity had been restored in some nearby areas. A few of our neighbours went to check the transformer and found that all the cables and other installations had been removed. It was then that we saw the body hanging on the pole,” Terkula said.
The incident was promptly reported to the ‘D’ Division police station, and officers arrived to remove the body.
Dr. Adakole Elijah, Head of Corporate Communications at JED, confirmed the incident and condemned the ongoing vandalism of electrical installations in Benue State, despite heightened security measures.
He urged local communities to take ownership of electricity facilities in their areas, stating that these assets are meant to serve them.
“It has become practically impossible for the company to single-handedly protect these assets. We are advising and pleading with communities to take responsibility for safeguarding electricity facilities, as it is them that the facilities serve,” Elijah stated.
He further noted that the repeated vandalism not only imposes significant financial burdens on the company but also poses risks to the security, social, and economic well-being of the affected communities.
The Public Relations Officer for the Benue Police State Command, SP Catherine Anene, also confirmed the incident, stating: “I am aware that someone was electrocuted in Wadata while attempting to vandalise a transformer. I received a report about that.”
