A man’s lifeless body has been found dangling from a pole after allegedly trying to steal electricity cables in Benue state.
According to reports, the yet-to-be-identified man was said to have been electrocuted early on Tuesday while allegedly attempting to vandalize a transformer belonging to the Jos Electricity Distribution Company located at Ankpa Ward in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Confirming the incident, a resident, Terkula said the victim had taken advantage of the power outage in the area to commit the act, but he met his end when the power was restored unexpectedly, and his body was found hanging between two poles connecting the cables to the transformer.
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He said,
“We woke up this morning at about 5 am and discovered that electricity had been restored in some areas and streets close to ours.
“So, a few of our neighbours went to check the transformer. When we arrived at the site, we found that all the cables and other installations had been removed, and we saw a lifeless body on the pole.
We promptly informed the ‘D’ Division police station, and they came to remove the body.”
Also confirming the incident, the Head of Corporate Communications at JED, condemned the act, saying;
“It has become practically impossible for the company to single-handedly protect these assets. That is why we are advising and pleading with communities to take ownership of electricity facilities in their areas, as it is them that the facility serves.
“Each time our facilities are vandalised, we spend significant amounts of money to restore services, only for them to be vandalised again. While the assets belong to the company, the communities are the end users.
“Vandalism of these facilities puts communities at risk in terms of security, social, and economic benefits. We continue to plead with people, especially community policing and vigilantes, to assist in safeguarding these assets.”
The Police Public Relations Officer for the State Command, SP Catherine Anene, also confirmed the incident. She said,
“I am aware that someone was electrocuted in Wadata while attempting to vandalise a transformer. I received a report about that.”
