In a shocking incident in Lokoja, Kogi State, a would-be thief attempting to steal power cables owned by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) met a fatal end when he was electrocuted as power was unexpectedly restored to the installation during the early hours of Thursday. The incident took place at Paparanda Square, Lokoja, around 2am.
An eyewitness, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared details about the incident, revealing that the vandal was in the process of cutting the transformer cables when the sudden restoration of electricity occurred, leading to his immediate demise. This eyewitness account was disclosed to journalists at the scene.
The victim was identified as Alfa Olukuluku Kabiru, a resident of Angwan Masara street in Lokoja, according to the anonymous witness. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with power cable theft and the risks involved in such illicit activities.
A senior staff member from AEDC, present at the scene but choosing to remain anonymous, expressed the need for consumers to prioritize the protection of their transformers. He emphasized that preventing theft and vandalism is crucial to maintaining uninterrupted power supply, highlighting the financial strain caused by repairing vandalized equipment and stolen cables.
The AEDC official further emphasized that if the vandal had successfully made away with the cable, the entire area would have been plunged into darkness for an extended period. He urged the community to recognize their responsibility in safeguarding energy infrastructure, as securing installations not only ensures uninterrupted power but also saves resources that can be allocated to purchasing new equipment and improving overall power reliability.
Following the incident, law enforcement authorities took possession of the vandal’s remains and transferred them to an undisclosed morgue. The unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of power cable theft and the importance of public cooperation in preventing such incidents.