Residents of Omuma Road, Aba, Wednesday 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 victim was electrocuted while attempting to cut copper wires from the transformer.
Eyewitnesses say he was in the company of two other suspected vandals who fled the scene 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 at the site of the tragedy, 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 taken to the Abia State University Teaching Hospital Mortuary off Jubilee Road in Aba.
Residents who gathered at the scene expressed disappointment that an attempt to vandalize transmission assets has once again plunged the community into darkness.
John Ezeonwu, a local food store owner, lamented:
“The people living on Omuma Road and environs have not enjoyed steady power supply until lately due to a serious misunderstanding between us which has now been resolved. It is our tough luck that a miscreant has caused another cessation of supplies. We are confident that Aba Power will restore supply 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 vandalising power infrastructure not only disrupts electricity supply but also endangers lives.
