The Police Command in Benue State has said a suspected vandal, Inalegwu Elias, was electrocuted when he attempted to vandalise a Jos Electricity Distribution Company transformer in Otukpo.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Sewuese Anene, confirmed the incident on Saturday in Makurdi.
Mr Anene said the victim was found hanging on the double transformer poles dead on Saturday morning.
Eyewitnesses also said that the lifeless body of Inalegwu was seen dangling at the transformer located at the JAMB office Otukpo.
They said the incident took place around 4:00 am on Saturday when electricity was restored.
The victim, who was said to be a known cable vandal, had succeeded half way after cutting away several cables with the knife and plier in his possession before JED suddenly restored power.
Also, Head, Corporate Communications, JED, Adakole Elijah, said the incident was reported to the police.
He said, “Yes, it happened yesterday night and he got electrocuted. It was a computer-based transformer for JAMB. So, I can confirm that the electrocution is true. It was an obvious attempt to vandalise the transformer. We have a high spate of transformer vandalism in Otukpo town. The truth is that the transformer is properly safeguarded, it’s a pole mounted transformer. So, for someone to climb, it beats my imagination. That tells you it was deliberate, a clear case of vandalism. I’m sure he went with terrible motive and unfortunately, he paid with his life.’’
