A man has died from suspected electrocution along Trademore Road, Lugbe, in Abuja, after he allegedly attempted to cut the cables of a transformer. The incident occurred when power supply was restored while he was inside the transformer enclosure, leading to his death.
Body Found Inside Transformer Enclosure
The man's body was discovered inside the transformer enclosure in the early hours of Friday, August 21. The discovery was made along Trademore Road, a busy area in Lugbe, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
It is suspected that the man had entered the enclosure to cut the cables, a common but highly dangerous act often carried out by vandals seeking to steal copper wire for sale. However, he met his demise when electricity was suddenly restored to the transformer, delivering a fatal shock.
Police Confirm Incident and Evacuate Body
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident. She stated that the body has been evacuated from the scene and conveyed to a mortuary at Gwagwalada for an autopsy.
According to SP Adeh, the police were alerted to the incident and responded promptly. The body was removed from the transformer enclosure and taken to the mortuary, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
Rising Cases of Transformer Vandalism
This incident highlights the ongoing problem of transformer vandalism in Nigeria, where individuals risk their lives to steal cables and other electrical components. The practice not only endangers the vandals but also disrupts power supply to communities and causes significant financial losses to electricity distribution companies.
The police have not released the identity of the deceased, pending notification of next of kin. The autopsy at Gwagwalada mortuary is expected to provide further details, and the police have urged the public to report any suspicious activities around electrical installations to prevent similar tragedies.
