Residents of Omuma Road, Aba, today woke up to a tragic and disturbing scene: the lifeless body of an unidentified man hanging from the poles supporting wires connected to a distribution transformer in the Aba Power network.
The individual was electrocuted while attempting to cut copper wires from the transformer.
Eyewitnesses reported that he was in the company of two other suspected vandals who fled immediately the electrocution occurred.
The line tripped with a loud spark.
Aba Power’s Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Manager, Mr. Ikenna Okwoli, expressed shock at the extent some individuals go in their attempts to vandalize electricity infrastructure.
Speaking to the press where the tragedy occurred, Mr. Edise Ekong, Manager, Branding and Communication for Aba Power, described the incident as unfortunate.
“It is sad to see an able-bodied man lose his life in this way. Unfortunately, this is one of the consequences of unauthorized access and interference with electricity assets,” he said.
Mr. Ekong further emphasized the need for stronger community collaboration to protect critical public infrastructure.
He said: “Communities must come together and work with Aba Power to safeguard electricity assets around them. That is the only way we can win the war against vandals and vandalism.”
The body was later retrieved by officers from the Abia State Police Command and and taken to the Abia State University Teaching Hospital Mortuary off Jubilee Road in Aba.
Residents who gathered at the scene expressed disappointment that the attempt to vandalize the transformer could once again plunged the community into darkness.
Mr. John Ezeonwu, a local food store owner, lamented:
“The people living on Omuma Road and environs did not enjoy steady power supply due to a serious misunderstanding between us which has now resolved and we are having steady supply, it is our tough luck that a miscreant has caused cessation of supplies once again, though we are confident that Aba Power will restore power as soon as possible.
” I won’t say the vandal deserved what happened, but it is truly unfortunate.”
Aba Power has once again warned vandals to desist from their unlawful acts and seek more productive pursuits, stressing that vandalism of the power infrastructure not only disrupts electricity supply but also endangers lives.