An unidentified man lost his life after being electrocuted while attempting to vandalize a transformer in the Akute area of Ogun State.
Reports indicate that the community has been grappling with ongoing theft and damage to electrical wires connected to their power transformer.
The spokesman for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday. She explained that the man had climbed into the transformer enclosure to cut a wire, an act that tragically resulted in his electrocution.
The incident was initially reported to the police by Rasheed Ajagbe, chairman of the Irewole community. According to the statement:
“At about 10:20 am on Friday, Rasheed Ajagbe informed the police that the Irewole community had been dealing with persistent theft and damage of electrical wires from their power transformer.
Around 7 am, he received a call urging him to inspect the transformer. Upon arriving with other community executives, they discovered the lifeless body of an unidentified individual who had apparently attempted to vandalize the transformer and was electrocuted in the process.”
Police detectives promptly visited the scene to conduct an investigation and document evidence with photographs. The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) office was also notified, and the deceased’s body was transported to the General Hospital Ifo mortuary for autopsy and preservation.
However, there was a twist to the story on Saturday. According to reports, the officials who had taken the body earlier returned it. Observers noted that the corpse appeared swollen and blistered due to improper handling. After some time, the officials removed the body once more, but the situation raised concerns over the management of the deceased.
This incident underscores the dangers of tampering with electrical infrastructure and highlights the challenges communities face in protecting vital public utilities from vandalism.
