As the saying goes, every day for the thief, one day for the owner. This was the case with an alleged transformer cable thief, a man identified as Wale from Owode Igbona, Osogbo, who was recently electrocuted while attempting to steal at the Zone B area of Surulere Estate, Ede South Local Government Area, Osun State.
It was a shocking turn of events, according to members of the community’s Technical Committee, who narrated how Wale attempted to disconnect the up-riser cable and other incoming wires from the transformer when the power was suddenly restored.
Unfortunately for Wale, the unexpected flow of electricity resulted in an electrocution, which left him seriously injured at his crime scene.
The community informed the authorities as soon as the tragic incident took place, and the alleged thief was taken away by officers from the Oke Iresi Police Station in Ede.
According to the Chairman of Zone B Community, Dr. BMG Amosa, there have been increasing cases of vandalism in the area, and he remains committed to safeguarding his community’s resources.
Amosa revealed that even though the incident was rather unfortunate, it also shows the risk involved with tampering with vital community infrastructure.
The chairman added that Wale’s case will serve as a lesson to anyone contemplating committing the same crime.
“While this is an unfortunate incident, it highlights the risks of tampering with critical community infrastructure. This should serve as a lesson to anyone considering similar actions. We’re committed to protecting our community’s resources,” he said.
Alo reacting, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc, IBEDC, Osun Region, condemned the act, saying vandalism could easily become a death sentence.
IBEDC hailed the vigilance and quick action taken by the local residents, while encouraging residents to report any suspicious activity or infractions via the appropriate channels.
“Vandalism poses grave risks to lives, undermines public safety, and disrupts power supply to communities.
We commend the vigilance and prompt action of the local residents and urge the public to remain alert.
We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity or infractions, including energy theft, meter tampering, and vandalism, through the appropriate channels. Together, we can safeguard our infrastructure and ensure a more reliable electricity supply,” the company added.
